Fire Prevention Week 2020: October 4-10

With Fire Prevention Week just around the corner, Waterloo Fire Rescue urges everyone in Waterloo to take some simple steps to prevent kitchen fires in their home. This year’s theme of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 4-10, is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!™” 

The theme is very timely as cooking fires continue to be the leading cause of home fires in Ontario. It focuses on the prevention of cooking fires and staying fire safe in the kitchen.

Simple steps to serve up fire safety in the kitchen include:

• Always stay in the kitchen when cooking and turn off the stove if you must leave the kitchen.
• Keep a proper fitting lid near the stove. If a pot of oil catches fire, slide the lid over the pot and turn off the stove. Do not move the pot. Never throw water on a burning pot.
• Keep anything that burns - plastic utensils, dishcloths, paper towels - a safe distance from the stove.
• Cook responsibly. To prevent cooking fires, you must be alert. You will not be alert if you have consumed alcohol or drugs.
• Wear tight-fitting or rolled up sleeves when using the stove. Loose, dangling clothing can easily catch fire.
• Keep young kids one metre away from the stove. Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge so they can’t be easily knocked off.
• If you burn yourself while cooking, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes. If the burn is severe, seek medical attention.

“People cook in their homes every day, and it has to be done responsibly to ensure it is done safely. It is your responsibility to protect yourself and your family from fire. Always remain alert and stay in the kitchen while cooking,” says public education officer John Percy. "Often when we're called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us they only left the kitchen for a few minutes. But that's all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. Help keep our community safe by preventing fires from starting in the first place.” 

Waterloo Fire Rescue is organizing a variety of events during Fire Prevention Week, including free virtual home fire and life safety presentations on Saturday, October 3. At 10 a.m. we are teaming up with Home Depot, Waterloo location and again at 1 p.m. with the local Lowes store, to deliver the virtual presentations. There will be good information for adults and lots of fun activities for kids. To register email our public education officer at John.Percy@waterloo.ca

In addition, Domino’s pizza Laurelwood location will be providing customers with home fire safety handouts and giveaways when they deliver food orders during this week. 

For more information about fire and life safety, please visit the Waterloo Fire Rescue website at waterloo.ca/fire or our Twitter page @Waterloo_Fire.

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For more information,

John Percy
Public Education Officer
Waterloo Fire Rescue
519-884-6030, ext. 23309
TTY: 1-866-786-3941
Email: john.percy@waterloo.ca 

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