Oct 09, 2023

Ladysmith Fire/Rescue promoting kitchen safety tips for Fire Prevention Week

Ladysmith Fire/Rescue is participating in Fire Prevention Week (FPW), October 8-14, 2023, and sharing tips and resources for this year’s theme, “Cooking Safety Starts with You. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention.”

During the annual public safety event, you’re encouraged to learn more about some simple but important actions to follow when cooking in the kitchen.

“You can prevent most cooking fires and burns and help keep your family safer with some simple but effective tips,” said Chris Geiger, Fire Chief and Manager of Protective Services.

Ladysmith Fire/Rescue wants to share these key cooking safety tips:

Cook with caution…

  • Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the  kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire...

  • On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…

  • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
  • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

For more information about fire prevention, visit:

Office of the Fire Commissioner: www.gov.bc.ca/FireSafety
NFPA: www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week
Sparky’s Fire Safety Club: www.sparky.org