The Victoria Fire Department is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association to promote Fire Prevention Week (October 8 to 14, 2023). This year’s theme is Cooking Safety Starts With YOU!TM. The annual public safety campaign raises awareness on how to plan ahead to keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire.
“In British Columbia, injuries, deaths and losses from household fires continue to rise at an unacceptable level. Cooking fires are the second leading cause of these fires at 25 per cent; each of these fires were preventable. With care and attention, we can all take steps to reduce these numbers,” said Megan Sabell, Assistant Chief Fire Prevention Officer - Investigator. “While every year in October we recognize Fire Prevention Week, fire safety is a responsibility that everyone must practise year-round.”
Below are some tips to help protect your family and home from fire when cooking:
Never leave cooking unattended whether it’s on the stove, in the oven or another appliance.
Keep flammable objects away from the stove and don’t hang towels on your oven door.
Turn your pot handles in when cooking on a stovetop.
Keep the kitchen a play free zone with young children.
Don’t wear loose clothing while cooking.
Keep cooking area free of built-up grease.
When frying, always keep a tight-fitting lid nearby to place over the pan in the event contents ignite.
Never use water on a grease fire; have an extinguisher nearby or smother the pan.
Make sure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home.
During Fire Prevention Week, the Victoria Fire Department will be visiting local elementary schools to talk about fire safety.
To learn more about local Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Victoria, please contact the Victoria Fire Department at 250.920.3350. More information about Fire Prevention Week can be found at fpw.org.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY:
Proclamation Ceremony and Flag Raising – Mayor Marianne Alto will proclaim Fire Prevention Week and speak to its significance.
Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Time: 8:50 – 9:15 a.m.
Location: Outside Victoria City Hall, Pandora Avenue entrance
For More Information:
Colleen Mycroft
Manager, Intergovernmental and Media Relations
250.896.5325 | cmycroft@victoria.ca