Fire prevention week focuses on kitchen safety

Fire prevention week kicked off on Sunday in Regina.

This year’s theme, Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen, encourages safe kitchen practices.

Cooking has been the leading cause of fires in Regina for more than 10 years. Over the last four years, Regina Fire & Protective Services have responded to more than 1,900 cooking alarms, resulting in the loss of homes and burn injuries and also endangering the community.

Mayor Michael Fougere says it only takes small steps to ensure fire safety in the kitchen.

“The theme of fire prevention week, ‘Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen,’ reminds each of us that by integrating small actions into our cooking routines, we can reduce fires in our community,” Fougere said in a media release. “That’s why I’m happy to proclaim October 4-10 as fire prevention week and ask residents to be fire safe.”

Kitchen safety tips include:

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Turn off the burner if you must leave the kitchen, even for a short time.
• Cook with a large lid handy. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Let the pan cool.
• Keep items that can catch fire, like towels, potholders and food wrappers, away from the stovetop.
• Don’t let children or pets play near the stove when you’re cooking.

“The No. 1 reason for cooking fires in our community is because individuals become distracted when cooking or leave the stove unattended,” says Regina Fire Chief Layne Jackson. “For that reason, we implore everyone to stay in the kitchen and look while you cook.”

The educational event finishes on Saturday. More information can be found on the National Fire Protection Association website.