Sarnia Fire Rescue Services is encouraging residents to be careful in the kitchen as stations across the country promote Fire Prevention Week.
This year's theme is "Cooking Safety Starts With You" as cooking remains the number one cause of fires in the home.
"The most important thing is always to pay attention when you're cooking, have working smoke alarms in your home, have a home escape plan that you practice as an entire family, have at least two ways out, and a safe meeting place outside of the home to call 911," said Public Education Officer Mike Otis.
Other fire prevention tips while cooking include turning pot handles inward, setting a cooking timer, and having a "kid-free zone" where children stay back at least one metre from the stove or where there are hot items present.
Otis said if a small grease fire occurs, place a lid on top of the pot or pan and turn off the heat.
"If it really gets going, you just need to get out and call 911. We don't want anybody putting themselves in danger trying to fight a fire in their home," Otis said. "Fire extinguishers can be a good tool if you know what you're doing and it's a proper type of extinguisher for the job. But never go into a home, never pass a fire to get to a fire extinguisher, and never use one unless you are trained, it's the right circumstances, and you're near an exit."
Residents can learn how to use a fire extinguisher during an upcoming open house.
Station One, located at 240 East St., will open its doors to the public on Wednesday, October 11, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. for guests to drop by.
Otis said residents will have a chance to see the equipment they use, fire trucks, live demonstrations, and there will also be some fire safety giveaways.
Fire Prevention Week will run until October 14.
The campaign comes shortly after Sarnia Fire took part in a provincewide initiative called "Saved By the Beep" which encouraged residents to check the smoke alarms in their homes.
Last year, Ontario saw the highest number of deadly fires in over 20 years, with 133 fatalities.
