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Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services Marks Fire Prevention Week – October 8 – 14, 2023

Cranbrook, BC (October 4, 2023) – Cooking safety starts with you; pay attention to fire prevention is the message from Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services ahead of Fire Prevention Week 2023, which runs next week from October 8 to 14, 2023.

Cooking and especially unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. This year’s fire prevention week campaign is designed to help educate everyone about simple, yet important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.

“A cooking fire can grow so quickly,” says Chris Churchill, Fire Prevention Coordinator with Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services. “We, as a department, have seen many homes damaged and people injured over the years by fires that could have easily been prevented.”  

Some simple safety tips are key to helping reduce the risk of a cooking fire:

• Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• 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. 
• Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 meter) around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week, contact Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services at 250-426-2325.  For more information about Fire Prevention Week, cooking safety, and fire prevention in general, please visit www.fpw.org.