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Column: Oak Bay fire offers safety messages about cooking

For more information contact the Oak Bay department’s Fire Prevention Division at 250-592-9121.
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Capt. Rob Kivell is fire prevention officer for Oak Bay Fire Department. (Oak Bay News file)

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. It’s important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.

What you should know

Be on alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.

Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.

If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire

Just get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

Call 9-1-1.

If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.

Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

For an oven fire turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Capt. Rob Kivell is fire prevention officer for Oak Bay Fire Department. For more information contact the Fire Prevention Division at 250-592-9121.