Fire prevention week
October 8-14, 2023
The theme for Fire Prevention Week 2023 is Cooking Safety Starts with YOU. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention.
Each year, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responds to more than 100 fires that start in the kitchen. Being safe in the kitchen can help save you from a fire, which can cause serious injury or death and significant damages to your home.
Avoid a cooking fire by following these safety tips:
- Stay in the kitchen while you're using the stove. If you leave, turn off the burners.
- Keep a lid nearby. If a small fire starts in a pot, slide the lid over the pot and turn the element off.
- If a small grease fire starts, never put water on it and do not try to move the pan. Instead, slide a lid over the pan, if possible, and turn off the burner. Do not move the pan until it is cool.
- If you're cooking or baking something in the oven, check on it often. Set a timer so you don't forget.
- If a fire starts inside your oven, keep the oven door closed and turn off the oven. Opening the oven door will add oxygen to the fire, causing it to get bigger and spread.
- Keep oven mitts, towels, curtains, packaging, and anything else that can catch on fire away from the stove or oven.
- Do not wear loose clothing when cooking.
- Keep kids and pets away from the oven when it's on. Have a kid-free and pet-free zone of one meter around the stove or near hot food.
Remember to always have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside each sleeping area. Have a home escape plan and practice it often.
Visit a WFPS Station
Visit your local WFPS Station on Saturday, October 14 to meet emergency responders and learn about fire safety. Introducing children to responders can be a good way to build relationships and ensure kids feel comfortable with responders should an emergency occur.
Open houses will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2022 at all WFPS stations.
You can also book a presentation with WFPS's public education branch on home escape planning at fps-fp-publiced@winnipeg.ca.
Talk to a WFPS member at Canadian Tire
WFPS representatives will have booths set up inside three Canadian Tire stores during Fire Prevention Week to demonstrate the importance of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
-
157 Vermillion Rd. Store
Thursday, October 12
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. -
750 St. James St. Store
Friday, October 13
1 p.m. - 3p.m.
Resources for teachers and parents
Fire Prevention Week is a great opportunity to teach children lifesaving information about fire safety. Whether it's practicing fire drills in school or at home or taking some time in the kitchen to point out potential hazards, you can make sure the children in your life are prepared.
- Kids corner (WFPS's collection of fire safety activities for children)
- Sparky.org (NFPA's child-friendly site)
- Fire won't wait. Plan your escape (NFPA's Fire Prevention Week site)