Many fires caused by careless cooking
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.
