The City of Campbell River Fire Department is participating in Fire Prevention Week TM (FPW), October 8 to14, 2023. This year’s FPW campaign is “Cooking safety starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention.TM" which works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safer while cooking.
“Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths,” says Fire Chief, Dan Verdun. “The good news is that you can prevent most cooking fires and burns and help keep your family safer with simple but effective tips, and we’re here to help share this important information!”
The Campbell River Fire Department encourages all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, and follow these key cooking safety tips:
- Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove.
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Keep an eye on anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stovetop.
If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire:
- On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
If you have any doubts about fighting a small fire:
- Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.
Throughout October, members of the Campbell River Fire Department will visit local grade 3 classes to introduce the fire safety house program, reinforcing Fire Prevention Week information.
For more information about fire prevention, visit:
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Contact: Dan Verdun, Fire Chief | 250-286-6266 | dan.verdun@campbellriver.ca
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK 2023 - NEWS RELEASE - OCTOBER 2023