Calgary Fire Department kicks off Fire Prevention Week 2013

 

Kitchen fires are the leading cause of house fires in Calgary and cooking is the leading cause of injury in the home, making prevention of kitchen fires and cooking safety a priority for the Calgary Fire Department. 

 

The Calgary Fire Department is participating in Fire Prevention Week which runs from October 6 – 12, 2013. This year’s theme, ‘Preventing Kitchen Fires’ carries a message of great importance. 

 

“The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it can be a dangerous place.” said Fire Chief Bruce Burrell. “There are many hazards that also make it the number one location for home fires to start.”

 

In 2012, the Calgary Fire Department responded to more than 1,800 fires.  Almost 40 percent of those were kitchen fires; fire originating in the kitchen or caused by cooking.  In Alberta, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries and the second cause of home fire deaths.  Most kitchen fires occur between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., during the evening meal preparation time.

 

“It can be devastating to experience a fire in the home,” said Burrell.   “However, there are many, very simple fire prevention measures everyone can take to prevent fires and improve their safety.”  

 

Members of the public are invited to come out and learn about kitchen fire safety as well as other general home fire safety measures this Saturday, October 5^th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at one of the following stations:

 

South Calgary Fire Station, 3129-14th Street S.W.
Huntington Hills Fire Station, 415-68th Avenue N.W.
Silver Springs Fire Station, 209 Silvergrove Drive N.W.
McKenzie Towne Fire Station, 6 McKenzie Towne Gate S.E.

 

For more information vist calgary.ca/fire.