Kitchen safety

Look while you cook
Unattended cooking is a leading cause of fire. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food. Always watch what you heat.

Keep your kitchen clean
Keep your cooking surfaces clean to prevent food and grease build-ups that could be easily ignited. Clean up spills on the stove and in the oven.

Wear short or close fitting sleeves
Loose clothing such as shirts with sleeves that hang down can brush against heating elements and catch on fire. Loose sleeves should be rolled up tight before cooking.

Keep combustibles away from the stove
Keep combustibles at least one metre away from the cooktop. This includes curtains, dish towels, plastic or wood utensils, newspapers, grocery bags, and wall hangings.

Turn off
Make sure that you have turned off the stove, oven, and small appliances after every use. Double check that everything is off before going to bed.

Unplug when done
Unplug toasters, kettles, and other small appliances when you are finished using them. Take care not to overload electrical circuits.

Check electrical cords
Ensure that the electrical cords on all large and small appliances are not frayed, cracked, or otherwise worn out. Damaged cords or plugs can easily start fires.

Put a lid on grease fire
Never put water onto a grease fire. Put a lid on the pot or over the pan, turn off the stove, and call 911. Don't try to move the pot outside.

Keep kids and pets away
There should be at least a one-metre safe zone around the stove. Keep children and pets away from the stove at all times.

Make sure appliances are CSA approved
Look for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) seal of approval when purchasing appliances and fixtures. CSA-approved products are tested for shock and fire hazards.

Have the right smoke alarms
Smoke alarms are required on every level of the home, but avoid putting smoke alarms too close to the kitchen. If you cannot avoid putting a smoke alarm near the kitchen, then be sure to install photoelectric alarms that are less prone to false alarms.

Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are designed to put out small fires. Consider getting an extinguisher and keeping it accessible somewhere in or very close to the kitchen.

When purchasing an extinguisher, look for the Underwriter's Laboratories of Canada (ULC) label. This label lets you know the extinguisher will work properly as long as you use it and maintain it properly.

The label of your fire extinguisher has a lot of valuable information on it.

• Mount your fire extinguisher with the label facing outwards.
• The extinguisher should be placed on a wall near an exit in or around the kitchen but not too close to the stove.
• In a home, it is best to have a multi-purpose, dry chemical extinguisher that is labelled ABC.

Using a fire extinguisher

Remember the acronym PASS:

Pull the pin
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
Squeeze the handle
Sweep from side to side

• Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small.
• Make sure you have an exit behind you in case the fire gets out of control.
• Stand two to three metres away from the fire when using an extinguisher.
• Always call 911 when there has been a fire, even if you think it has been extinguished.
• Remember: if in doubt just get out. Don't try to fight a fire that is too big or is growing.

ABC extinguishers can be used to help extinguish most types of small fires that occur in homes including:

• Class A fires: wood, paper, cloth, plastics, etc.
• Class B fires: flammable liquids like gasoline
• Class C fires: energized electrical

Hot liquids and steams can cause scalds or severe burns.

Follow theses tips to prevent accidental burns in the kitchen:

• Keep pot handles turned sideways to prevent accidental spills.
• Keep hot food and beverages away from the edge of tables and counters.
• Keep your face away from the oven when checking or removing food.
• Be very careful when removing dishes from the microwave after heating up food.