Cooking safety starts with YOU!

This weekend, many people will be cooking up a feast for friends and loved ones, but it is important to pay attention to fire prevention. Today is the first day of Fire Prevention Week, which runs until Saturday, Oct. 14. This year’s theme is “Cooking safety starts with YOU!” and Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) is taking this opportunity to educate the community about the importance of being fire aware in the kitchen.   

Follow these important safety tips on Thanksgiving weekend and beyond:

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking. Turn off the stove if you must step away even for a moment and remove all items from the stovetop when you are finished cooking.
• Avoid all distractions and focus on the task in front of you.
• Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing while cooking as it can catch on fire. 
• Keep flammable items – like oven mitts, cooking utensils, dishcloths, paper towels and potholders – a safe distance from the stove.
• Keep young kids away from the stove and turn pot handles inward to avoid them being knocked off accidentally.
• Use a heat-resistant surface to cool down hot cookware.
• Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Ensure your home has working smoke alarms and test all alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button to ensure the alarm is working.
• Develop a home escape plan so everyone in your household knows what to do if an emergency occurs.

In case 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.

Are you including candles on your holiday table setting? VFRS encourages you to always use non-flammable candle holders and place candles where they will not be knocked down, away from paper decorations, tablecloths and napkins. Never leave candles in a room unattended and be sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets. A better alternative is to use battery-powered flameless candles. 

For more information and fire safety tips, visit vaughan.ca/fire. You can also visit the City of Vaughan’s YouTube channel to watch a kitchen safety video from VFRS.

Fire Prevention Week is recognized each year during the week of Oct. 9 by the National Fire Prevention Association. Fire departments across North America observe Fire Prevention Week to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and the devastation it caused. 

For more fire prevention tips, resources and educational videos, visit the City’s Fire Prevention Week webpage. 

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