Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in Canada, and the majority of reported home fires start in the kitchen.

In Richmond, we have an unusual phenomenon of storing combustibles IN THE OVEN. (SEE VIDEO)

We want to share safety tips to keep you from having a cooking fire.

• Thanksgiving is the leading day for fires involving cooking equipment.
• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. • If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and stay home.
• Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it’s cool.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop.
• Loose clothing can hang down onto stove burners and catch fire. Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 metre) around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared.

For more information on cooking safety, Fire Prevention Week and other helpful hints, please visit our Facebook page