Fire officials and government are encouraging British Columbians to make sure every member of their family knows the recipe for preventing kitchen fires during National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 6-12).

Each year, Fire Prevention Week highlights a key aspect of fire education. This year's theme, Prevent Kitchen Fires, focuses on ensuring every member of the family - from parents and university/college students to the youngest toddler - knows about safety in the kitchen.

Cooking is the leading cause of determined home fires and fire related injuries in British Columbia, with 33 per cent of fire injuries caused by cooking and equipment and 34 per cent of residential fires starting in the kitchen. There were 811 fires related to cooking equipment in 2012.

Emergency Management BC and the Office of the Fire Commissioner are supporting local fire officials during this year's Fire Prevention Week with a fire safety activity booklet for children ages 5 to 8. It highlights fire and burn hazards, knowing what to do in case of a fire and home escape planning.

In addition to making sure everyone knows about kitchen safety, every household in B.C. should have working smoke alarms - particularly in sleeping areas - and an extinguisher. Families are encouraged to check smoke alarm batteries monthly and mark their calendars to ensure they clean the devices twice a year.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

"The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is a busy place where families gather first thing in the morning and where they get together to discuss the day, but it can also be a dangerous place. It's important that everyone know how to stay safe while preparing and cooking meals, and I appreciate the efforts of fire officials to educate the public."

Tim Pley, Port Alberni fire chief and Fire Chiefs' Association of B.C. president - 

"This year's theme, Prevent Kitchen Fires, is a very important reminder to use caution when cooking and to be watchful around heat and open flame. It's also very important to ensure you have working smoke alarms in your home; test them regularly and remember: smoke alarms save lives, but don't last forever."

Quick Facts:

• In British Columbia during 2012, 6,780 reported fires caused 266 injuries (231 for civilians and 35 for firefighters) and 35 deaths.
• On average, a British Columbian is injured by residential fire every 32 hours in BC.

During Fire Prevention Week 2013, the Office of the Fire Commissioner is also supporting participating fire departments with an iPad contest for children ages 5 to 8 (kindergarten to Grade 3).

Learn More:

For more information on Fire Safety Week including the iPad contest, fire safety tips, activity booklets and family and school resources, visit: http://ow.ly/pb1RZ

Follow us on Twitter at: @emergencyprepbc and check out our YouTube videos at: http://ow.ly/pr8fw

To learn more about the FCABC campaign to ensure every home has a working smoke alarm, visit: http://www.workingsmokealarms.ca/

For 2012 fire statistics, visit: http://embc.gov.bc.ca/ofc/fire-reporting/stats/pdf/2012stats.pdf

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213 3602

Chief Tim Pley
Fire Chiefs' Association of B.C.
250 720-9223

BACKGROUNDER

Fire Prevention Week - A recipe for kitchen safety

Educating your family about safety in the kitchen is important, whether you have college students who will be cooking for themselves for the first time or young children who are just learning about cooking. Some good tips for adults:

• Do you have working smoke alarms?
• Always pay attention to things that are cooking. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Never cook when you are sleepy or impaired.
• Keep things that can burn - dish towels, curtains or paper - at least three feet away from the stove.
• Keep a lid nearby when you are cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stove. Leave the pan covered until completely cool.
• If you are roasting, simmering or baking, use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep your stove top clean of spilled food, grease, paper and bags.
• Open containers slowly after they are removed from the microwave as hot steam escaping a container can cause painful burns.
• Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking than being burned in a cooking fire. Tips to keep kids safe:
• Turn pot handles in towards the back of the stove or in towards the centre of the table.
• Keep a kid and pet free zone (three feet from the stove) when a grown up is cooking.
• If your older children use the microwave, make sure it is at a safe height where they can see in to the microwave and that it is within easy reach for all users.
• Make sure your children know how to properly open microwave containers safely.
• Food heats unevenly in microwave ovens. Stir and test before eating or giving to children.
• If your child likes to help out, check out the tip sheet, Kids in the Kitchen, which provides guidelines for safe age specific activities for your little chef: http://ow.ly/oR9yz

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213 3602

Chief Tim Pley
Fire Chiefs' Association of B.C.
250 720-9223