Cook up a storm – not a fire!
Image
Safety tips and best practices for cooking from Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service
Cooking can be more hazardous than you may think – it is the number one cause of home fires in Ontario. That’s why Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service is here to provide important fire prevention tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe in the kitchen.
Cooking can be more hazardous than you may think – it is the number one cause of home fires in Ontario. That’s why Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service is here to provide important fire prevention tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe in the kitchen.
When cooking, keep these safety tips top of mind:
- Stay in the kitchen. Turn off the stove if you must step away and remove all items from the stovetop when you are finished cooking.
- Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing as it can catch on fire.
- Keep flammable items – oven mitts, plastic cooking utensils, dish cloths, paper towels and potholders – at a safe distance from the stove.
- Keep young kids away from the stove and turn pot handles away from the stove's edge to avoid them being accidentally knocked off.
- Ensure a proper-fitting pot lid is nearby to smother flames in the event of a fire.
- Use a heat-resistant surface to cool down hot cookware.
- Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- Have a working smoke alarm and a home escape plan just in case an incident occurs.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button to ensure the alarm is working.
In the event of a grease or oil fire, smother the flames by completely covering the pan or deep fryer with a large metal lid, cooking sheet or flat tray. Never use water to put out a grease or oil fire – it will cause the fire to spread.
For more information and fire safety tips, visit vaughan.ca/fire. You can also visit the City of Vaughan YouTube channel to watch a series of kitchen safety informational videos with Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service.
-30-