NEWS RELEASE
TOWNSHIP OF SPRINGWATER
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Springwater Fire & Emergency Services is teaming up with Co-operators, the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners, and the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Cooking Safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.”
This year’s campaign, from Oct. 8-14, works to educate everyone about the simple but important steps they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from cooking and kitchen fires.
“Cooking remains the No. 1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “Fire Prevention Week is a great opportunity to bring together fire service, injury prevention, and school and community education professionals to teach people easy and safe ways to prevent cooking fires and burns.”
Springwater Fire & Emergency Services and local Co-operators encourage all residents to actively support this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign by implementing fire prevention measures with all members of their households. Co-operators has donated a Fire Prevention Week kit to the fire department; the kit includes activities and information for children and adults, providing age-appropriate messages about home fire safety and prevention.
“Fire safety education is important for everyone,” said Maya Milardovic, associate vice president of government relations for Co-operators. “Cooking is a daily occurrence in homes, and with our fast paced, multi-tasking lifestyles, we want to help educate the community to prevent fires and burns, protecting what matters most.”
Springwater Fire shares the following safety tips for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign and its focus on preventing cooking fires:
- TURN pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
- WATCH what you heat. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- HAVE a "kid-free zone" of at least 1 metre around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme, “Cooking Safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.™”, visit www.fpw.org.
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