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By Liam Verster

Fire Prevention Week

Stove safety is key part of Fire Prevention Week

Oct 8, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Vernon Fire Rescue Services reminds people to be safe in the kitchen during Fire Prevention Week.

Between Oct. 8 and 14, VFRS will be working with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote the Cooking Safety Starts With YOU campaign.

The program aims to educate the public on actions that can be taken when cooking to prevent a fire from igniting.

“Having knowledge about risks empowers a person to prevent a painful or expensive accident,” Fire Chief David Lind said.

“Every year our team responds to fires that could easily have been prevented and too often these fires result in injuries to people and significant damage to homes.”

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Among the key safety tips from VFRS are:

• Watch what you heat, including setting a timer and keeping an eye on what you are cooking.
• Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove and keep a lid nearby when cooking as it can be slid over a pan to stop a grease fire.
• Have a “kid and pet free zone” of at least one metre around a stove, grill, or anywhere else hot food and drink is prepared or carried.

According to the NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States.

Unattended cooking is also the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths.

More information on Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety can be found here, and fire safety activities for kids can be found here.