Fire Safety for the Holidays

In the wake of some recent holiday season fires across Ontario, the Grey Bruce Fire Prevention Officers Association is urging residents to stay in the kitchen when cooking.

“The hustle and bustle of the holiday season means it can be very easy to become distracted and called away from the kitchen,” said Fire Chief Ed Nowak. “Unattended cooking is the leading cause of residential fires in Ontario. People must stay in the kitchen to keep an eye on their cooking.”

Important steps to prevent cooking fires include:

• Stay in the kitchen while you cook, particularly if you are using oil or high temperatures. If you must leave for any reason, turn off the stove.
• Keep combustible items such as cooking utensils and paper towels a safe distance from your stove. They can easily ignite if they are too close to a burner.
• Keep a tight-fitting lid near the stove when cooking. If a pot catches fire, slide the lid over the pot and turn off the stove.
• Drink responsibly and keep an eye on those who do not. Excessive alcohol use often is a contributing factor in many residential fires.
  

Stay safe and smoke-free this holiday season!!