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Location:  Publications > Press > Fire Prevention Week: October 8-14, 2006 “Prevent Cooking Fires - Watch What You Heatâ€�

Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Office of the Fire Marshal	Ministère de la Sécurité communautaire et des Services correctionnels Bureau du commissaire des incendies
Place Nouveau Building 7th Floor 5775 Yonge Street North York ON M2M 4J1 Telephone 416-325-3100 Facsimile: 416-325-3162	Édifice Place Nouveau 7e étage 5775 rue Yonge North York ON M2M 4J1 Téléphone: 416-325-3100 Télécopieur: 416-325-3162

Fire Prevention Week: October 8-14, 2006
“Prevent Cooking Fires - Watch What You Heat”

TORONTO- “Prevent Cooking Fires - Watch What You Heat” is the theme of Fire Prevention Week 2006, October 8 to 14. This year, Fire Prevention Week is aimed at increasing awareness about cooking related fire hazards and reducing the number of injuries and fatalities from cooking fires.

Careless cooking is the number one cause of preventable home fires in Ontario. There are approximately 1,500 cooking related fires each year. Many more are not reported.

“Fire Prevention Week is an excellent opportunity to remind everyone in Ontario that home fires are preventable,” said Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Monte Kwinter. “In the interest of public safety, I strongly encourage everyone to watch for fire hazards in the kitchen and take every precaution to prevent cooking fires.”

Provincial statistics indicate that cooking fires are the leading cause of fire-related injuries in Ontario and the second leading cause of fire-related fatalities. Safe cooking practices can prevent many of these fires.

“Pay full attention when you’re cooking and stay in the kitchen,” said Bernard Moyle, Fire Marshal of Ontario. “Most cooking fires occur when people get distracted or are careless and often because they are intoxicated.”

Prevent cooking fires by:

• Keeping a large lid near the stove when cooking – if a pot catches fire, slide the lid over the pot and turn off the stove.

• Staying in the kitchen while you cook – particularly if you are using oil or high temperatures.

• Wearing tight-fitting or rolled up sleeves when using the stove.

• Keeping 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.

Public Service Announcements
The Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and the Office of the Fire Marshal have developed Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to remind people to never leave cooking unattended. For copies of the PSAs please visit the Council’s website at http://www.firesafetycouncil.com/english/pubsafet/psaart.htm. A variety of Fire Prevention Week activities aimed at raising public awareness have been planned by the fire service across the province. For more information about activities in your area, contact your local fire department.

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For more information contact:
Carol Gravelle, Office of the Fire Marshal, (416) 325-3138