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Lloydminster, AB/SK – The Lloydminster Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention WeekTM (FPW) for more than 100 years — to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire preventionTM.” The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.
According to the NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home and over 50 per cent of all cooking fires are caused by unattended cooking.
Tips to prevent a cooking fire
The Lloydminster Fire Department offers these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire.
- Never leave the kitchen when cooking.
- If you must leave the kitchen when cooking, always turn the burner(s) off first – even if you think you’ll be away for only a minute.
- Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
- Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 metre) around the stove or grill, and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
- Encourage children to make sandwiches or other food items that don't need the stove, or use the microwave instead.
- Be sure to never use tinfoil or put utensils like knives or forks into the microwave.
- Keep all items like towels and pot holders away from the stovetop.
Dealing with a fire in your kitchen
If a pot or pan catches fire:
- Stay calm.
- Don't move it – it will be very hot.
- If available or safe to do so, cover the pan with a lid, cutting air to the fire will extinguish it.
- Turn off the heat of the stove/oven if it's safe to do so – don’t lean over the pan to reach the controls.
- Never use water on grease fires as it will intensify the fire; use a fire blanket to smother the flames if it safe to do so.
- If using a fire extinguisher, use caution and follow the directions – misuse can cause a fire to spread.
- If the fire doesn’t go out, get out, stay out and call 911.
| Lloydminster Fire Department Open House | |
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Thursday, October 12, 2023 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. D.E. Gustavson Fire Station No. 2 (2716 59 Avenue) |
For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit FPW.org For fire safety fun for kids, visit Sparky.org.
Quotes
“The Lloydminster Fire Department encourages all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, Cooking safety starts with you. Small precautions in the kitchen can prevent devastating fires. Be vigilant, stay focused and make fire safety a daily habit. Together, we can ensure that our homes and communities are safe from the dangers of kitchen fires. Let's cook responsibly and protect what matters most.”
Kristopher Hill, Assistant Fire Chief, Lloydminster Fire Department
“Year after year, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for half (49%) of all U.S. home fires. These numbers tell us that there is still much work to do when it comes to better educating the public about ways to stay safe when cooking.”
Lorraine Carli, Vice President, Outreach and Advocacy, National Fire Protection Association
Quick Facts
- Inattentive cooking is the leading cause of residential fires in Lloydminster. Most cooking fires occur when people leave the kitchen, often to do something as simple as answering the phone.
- So far, in 2023, the Lloydminster Fire Department has received 42 reported fires, 10 of which were cooking related.
- Since January 1, 2023, the Lloydminster Fire Department has attended 90 false alarm calls related to cooking. The department has attended 220 false alarm calls so far in 2023.
- A false alarm is when the department responds to a call that is the result of a non-emergency or a faulty alarm system. In cooking instances, there is no fire or immediate threat to life safety.
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