The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management are reminding the public that cooking fires account for 22 per cent of all home fires and 11% of all home fire fatalities.
The agencies offer the following tips for preventing cooking fires:
– always stay in the kitchen while cooking. If you must leave, turn off the stove;
– keep anything that burns – cooking utensils, dishcloths, paper towels and pot holders – a safe distance from the stove; and
– loose-fitting clothes can come into contact with stove burners and catch fire.
Wear tight sleeves or roll them up when cooking, officials advise.
