Fire Prevention Week to take place October 8-14, 2006
“Prevent Cooking Fires – Watch What You Heat”

MEDIA RELEASE:

WINNIPEG 0ctober 06, 2006 - October 8-14, 2006 is Fire Prevention Week in Canada. This year’s theme is “Prevent Cooking Fires – Watch What You Heat”, and fire services across the nation will be spreading the word about the dangers of fire, especially in the kitchen.

“Cooking is the number one cause of house fires in Canada,” said Winnipeg Fire & Paramedic Chief Wes Shoemaker. “The majority of these fires could have been prevented, and this year’s theme reminds us of something very important – to watch what you heat. We want people to be safe in the home, especially when cooking.”

“Fire Prevention Week provides us with an opportunity to remind people of the dangers of fire and to reinforce the importance of being fire safe, day in and day out,” continued Chief Shoemaker. “A fire can grow and spread so quickly, so advance planning is essential. As a minimum, every home should have working smoke alarms, a fire extinguisher, and a fire escape plan that is practiced regularly. I also recommend having a sprinkler system in the home to ensure that fires are quickly contained and extinguished; it’s like having a firefighter in your home 24 hours a day.”

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) has a number of events planned to mark Fire Prevention Week 2006:

1. Fire Prevention Week Kick-off (Tuesday, October 10)
2. Simulation of kitchen fire at WFPS burn building (Wednesday, October 11)
3. Public Open House at Fire Paramedic Stations (Saturday, October 14)

In addition to these events, an activity booklet has been produced for distribution, a fire safety activity page is available online at www.watchwhatyouheat.com, and WFPS members will attend schools throughout the city to meet with Grade 3 children.

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 inferno that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871. This is the 85th year that fire services have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.
For more information on fire prevention visit the National Fire Prevention Association. (http://www.nfpa.org/)

Background Information

FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

1. PAN FIRES:
   If a pan of food catches fire, using a pot holder, carefully slide a lid or cookie sheet over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not attempt to move the pan.
• Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and properly fitting lid (or cookie sheet) handy.
• If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid or cookie sheet over the pan.
• Placing the lid from front to back will limit your exposure to the flames and scalding grease.
• With the lid covering the flames, it is easier to turn off the burner. As long as the lid or cookie sheet stays on, the oxygen is cut off and the fire can die out naturally.
• Baking soda can also be used to extinguish a small pan fire; however, the user risks greater exposure to the heat, flames and scalding grease.

Do not use baking powder because it can burn and would actually add fuel to the fire.
Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool.
Never pour water on a grease fire.
Never try to move or carry a burning pan.

2. COOKING TIPS
   Deep Frying:
   The safest way to deep fry foods such as chicken or fries is to use is a thermostatically-controlled electric skillet or a deep fat fryer.
   Oven Cooking:
   • Keep oven clean. Grease and food splatters can ignite at high temperatures.
   • Ensure that you wear oven mitts when removing cooking containers to avoid serious burns.
   • Follow the oven cooking instructions for the recipe or product you are using.
   • Broiling is a popular method of cooking. When you use your broiler, place the rack 5 to 8 cm (two to three inches) from the broiler element. Always place a drip pan beneath the broiler rack to catch the fat drippings. Never use aluminum foil for this purpose – the fat gathered in the foil could catch fire or spill over.
3. GENERAL KITCHEN SAFETY
   • Do not leave cooking unattended.
   • Stay in the kitchen while cooking; if you must leave the kitchen briefly, turn down the heat on appliances and return to the kitchen quickly.
   • Use oven mitts.
   • Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing when cooking (such as long open sleeves), which can be ignited by hot burners. If clothes do catch fire, "Stop, Drop and Roll" by dropping immediately to the ground and rolling over and over or back and forth to put out the flames. Cool the burned area with cool water and seek medical attention for serious burns.
   • Check for damaged or cracked cords on kettles and toasters and have their internal thermostats checked if they have been dropped or damaged.
   • Buy appliances that shut off automatically.
   • Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn off burners and the oven.
   • Keep the stove top and oven clean and clear at all times.
   • Don't cook if you are impaired by alcohol, medication or drugs which make you drowsy.
   • Keep anything that can catch fire, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, curtains, etc., at least three feet away from the range top.
   • Every kitchen should be protected by Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). If you don't have them, hire an electrician to install these devices to protect electrical receptacles in the kitchen.
   • Always turn pot handles inward to prevent small children from reaching and pulling down a hot pan.
   • Keep hot items such as beverages and trays that have just come out of the oven away from the edge of counters so that children are not able to reach them.
   • Hot liquid and food burns often occur when children pull hanging tablecloths or placemats. Use table cloths and decorations with care.
   • Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from microwaved food carefully to prevent steam burns.
   • Keep children and pets away from the range when anyone is cooking and keep a close eye on them at all times.
   • For safer water temperatures to prevent scalds from hot tap water, keep your hot water heater set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
   • Post emergency numbers in visible areas.