This is fire prevention week and the theme is cooking safety. Across North America, and according to Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services, around 50 per cent of all fires in the home are cooking fires. Those same fires are also one of the main contributors to many home fire deaths. Troy Hicks, a Fire Prevention Officer with the city of Lethbridge, has some tips for cooking safely.
“You some of the biggest tips we give people when they’re cooking is to stay alert. Don’t leave home when you’re cooking. I know we’re all still struggling after Thanksgiving weekend and eating all that turkey, but, you know, we like to remind people when they’re cooking, don’t leave the house. I’m not saying you need to grab a chair and sit in front of your stove and watch your turkey cook for the four or five hours. Absolutely not. But don’t leave home. Make sure you’re there. Heaven forbid something happen. Have working smoke detectors in your home. The biggest thing we want to remind people about smoke detectors is they do have expiry dates. They have batteries in them, even the hardwired ones. Now, in newer homes, the majority of them do have a battery backup.”
Hicks suggests, another tip to protect yourself and your family is to have a working fire extinguisher in your home.