Burlington Fire Prevention Week: Unattended Cooking is a Recipe for Disaster
*Please see below a media release issued by the City of Burlington.
Burlington, Ont. — Sept. 30, 2020 — With Fire Prevention Week just around the corner, the Burlington Fire Department is urging everyone in Burlington to take some simple steps to prevent kitchen fires in their home. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Serve up Fire Safety in the Kitchen™” and runs from Oct. 4-10.The theme is very timely as cooking fires continue to be the leading cause of home fires and unattended cooking is the cause of many fire injuries and deaths. According to The Office of the Fire Marshal, the number one ignition source involved in residential fire injuries is cooking equipment, accounting for 38 per cent of the injuries.
"We take it for granted, but cooking is a dangerous activity we do each day. Being complacent or even careless with our cooking habits can cause serious harm to our homes and ourselves. It is our responsibility to make sure it happens safely. Always remain alert and stay in the kitchen while cooking. Over and over, when we respond to kitchen fires, people tell us they only left the kitchen for a second, but that’s all it takes. Keep us all safe and stay in your kitchen and pay attention when cooking." -- Karen Roche, acting Burlington Fire Chief
Burlington Fire Prevention Week ChallengeA new and exciting feature of Fire Prevention Week is a challenge to test your skills, knowledge and provide fun activities for the entire family. Enter today for your chance to win a great prize package. For details and registration, visit Burlington.ca/FPW. The challenge runs from Oct. 4 to Oct. 10 at 11:59 p.m.Fire Prevention Tips in the Kitchen
- Never leave a pot unattended on the stove.
- Keep clutter away from elements and heating surfaces.
- Use a heat-resistant surface to cool down cookware.
- Keep young children and pets away from stovetops.
- If a pot catches fire, don’t take any risks. Never try to move a burning pot. Put a lid on it and turn off the heat, if it is safe to do so.
Burlington Fire Narrates “No Dragons for Tea”On Oct. 4, visit bpl.on.ca/liveonline for a virtual reading of No Dragons for Tea by the Burlington Fire Department. This story features funny, rhyming verses about a dragon’s flame-filled tea party and a reassuring lesson in fire safety showing kids that learning about fire safety doesn't have to be scary.For more information, visit burlington.ca/fire. For Fire Prevention Week information, visit burlington.ca/FPW.Links and Resources:
- Fire Prevention Week
- burlington.ca/fire
- Burlington Fire Twitter
- Burlington Fire Facebook
- Ontario Fire Prevention Week
--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist