The goal of Fire Prevention Month (and week October 8th - 14th) is to raise fire safety awareness and help ensure your home and family is protected.

The goal of Fire Prevention Month (and week October 8th - 14th) is to raise fire safety awareness and help ensure your home and family is protected. The National Fire Protection Association's 2023 campaign for is "Cooking Safety Starts with You.”

Cooking with Care

Cooking fires are a leading cause of home fires and injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths. However, most cooking fires and burns can be prevented, and families kept safer, with some simple but effective tips. Learn these tips and practices during this year’s Fire Prevention week – Cooking safety starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention.

Never leave cooking unattended

  • Avoid cooking when sleepy or drowsy due to medication or alcohol.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, broiling, simmering, roasting or baking food.
  • If you leave the area, even for a short time, turn off the stove or oven.
  • Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

Protect children and pets

  • Establish a "kid-free" and/or "pet-free" zone of at least 3 feet (1 metre) around the stove and areas where hot food or hot beverages are prepared and/or carried.
  • Keep matches out of reach of children.
  • Turn pot handles inwards so they cannot be pulled down.

Putting Out Small Kitchen Fires

If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire, evacuate the area. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Once you are safely outside, call 9-1-1 for help. TIP: Keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach.

Grease Fires

  • Wearing an oven mitt, use the pot lid like a shield and slide it over the top of the pot. If you do not have a pot lid, a cookie sheet can be used instead.
  • Turn off the heat.
  • Do not pour water onto a grease fire.
  • Do not move the pan and do not remove the lid or cover until the fire is completely out and the contents have had time to cool (at least 15 minutes)

Fire safety is everyone's responsibility. Being prepared is your best defence against a fire in your home. Use these fire safety tips to help prevent fires and fire-related injuries in your home.