The North Bay Fire Department kicked off ‘Fire Prevention Week’ Saturday by hosting an open house at Station 1 on Princess Street.
“Every year the Fire Prevention Week is held the week of October 9th in memory of the Great Chicago Fire that happen in 1871 which was a very large fire,” explains Sherri Korn, Public Education/Fire Prevention Officer.
“So it's just a week that we recognise to be extra cautious and to remember that fire.”
During the open house families had an opportunity to check out the trucks and equipment, explore the Fire Safety House, meet the firefighters, as well as learning important safety tips. Also helping out were folks from the 406 Wing I-Dent-A-Kid program and the Rorab Shrine Club Klowns.
“We do target the children they take home the fire safety messages to their folks,” says Korn.
“Number one is please make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home. It's going to give you the earliest warning possible that there is a fire.”
Korn says the Thanksgiving weekend was a perfect time to kick off prevention week as it fits right into this year’s theme of ‘prevent kitchen fires … watch what you heat’.
Statistics prove that cooking equipment is ranked as the number one cause of preventable home fires in Ontario. The average number of cooking related fires per year between the years 2000 and 2004 was 1,492.
“Kitchen fires are still the number one cause of residential fires, and our advice is simply just use a bit of common sense around the kitchen,” says Korn.
“Do not to leave pots, burning on the stove. If a pot does catch on fire and make sure you have an oven mitt close by and a proper fitting lid, slide the lid over.”
Korn says once the flames are smothered turn the burner off, do not remove the lid until it is completely cool.
“If the doorbell rings carry, the spoon with you or something, so that you don't forget that you have left something burning on the stove.”
“It's just sad, especially when you add use of alcohol or medication or drugs, and you become drowsy than kitchen fires really to become potentially very dangerous and deadly situation.”
Remember these tips to avoid an unwanted tragedy this holiday weekend or at any time:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling or boiling food.
- If you must leave the room even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.
- When you are finished cooking, turn off all burners and ovens.
- And...Never cook when drowsy. Many kitchen fires occur as a result of a person falling asleep (often due to use of alcohol, drugs and or medication) leaving something cooking on the stove.
And remember to never pour water on a grease fire. If the fire does not go out, Korn says get out of the home and call the fire department.
