It will be all about the kitchen when our local firefighters hold their annual Fire Prevention Week campaign.
The Renfrew Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Week campaign runs from October 8th to 14th and will focus on cooking safety, as cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and related injuries.
Our local firefighters have teamed up with the National Fire Prevention Association to remind you to stay alert when cooking and to not use the stove or stovetop if you are sleepy or have been consuming alcohol or drugs.
Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains—away from your stovetop.
Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Lastly, if you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain at home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
Renfrew Fire Chief Mike Guest says fire safety in the kitchen should be a priority in your home year-round. He adds that “everyone should have a fire escape plan at home in case of an emergency and remember to check batteries and expiry dates on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working properly.”
(written by Kasey Egan)
