Kitchen fire safety topic of presentation
By Rob Vogt
Kitchen fires are the leading cause of structure fires in Alberta.
On Tuesday, Oct. 29, the Claresholm Fire Department gave a fire prevention presentation where Captain George Douros gave highlighted the dangers of kitchen fires, what to do when they happen, and what to do to prevent them.
Approximately a dozen people attended the presentation at the Claresholm Social Centre.
Douros began by discussing fire prevention tips. Those include ensuring all combustibles are stored properly, away from the home/main living area and away from children; having a fire extinguisher; reducing clutter around cooking areas; ensuring chimneys on wood burning stoves are cleaned, properly maintained, and installed; and ensuring smoke detectors are not expired and are properly working.
He then turned his attention to kitchen fires, noting they are the leading cause of house fires and burn-related injuries in Canada.
Douros emphasized everyone always needs to cook with care.
“Stay in the kitchen while cooking,” he said.
Keep the area around the stove clean and free of anything, and look at the surroundings to identify anything that is flammable.
Also, keep a pot lid, baking soda, and salt around, in case you need to smother a fire.
Douros then discussed grease fires.
He stressed don’t panic, never try to move the pot or pan, and never use water on a grease fire.
Instead, turn off the heat, put a pot lid or metal cookie sheet over the grease fire, or spread baking soda over the flames.
Use extreme caution with any fire extinguisher.
Don’t remove the lid from the pot until it has completely cooled down.
Douros emphasized the need to close bedroom doors before going to sleep. They can provide refuge in a house fire.
“Close before you doze,” he said, noting the smoke and gases will get to a person before the heat or flames.
Douros then discussed being ready and planning ahead.
He encouraged everyone to be ready and plan ahead by having a planned escape route with two ways out and practise it with the kids; keep exits free of clutter; have a set meeting place where everyone knows to go; and once outside, stay outside and never go back inside.
In case of fire, Douros recommended to R-E-A-C-T.
“R” is remove those in danger.
“E” is ensure all doors and windows are closed.
“A” is alert everyone.
“C” is call 911.
“T” is try to extinguish the fire, but treat all fires as dangerous.
Douros stressed to never, ever go back inside a burning structure.
Stay calm and, if you are on fire, stop, drop and roll. If you hear the alarm, follow the protocol or procedure you have established.
Feel the door, proceed to the nearest exit, if there is smoke get low, go directly to the muster point, and call 911.
When using a fire extinguisher, Douros encouraged everyone to ensure they have the proper extinguisher; test the extinguisher prior to approaching the fire; and keep a low approach with the wind at their back.
He explained they should P-A-S-S.
“P” is pull the pin.
“A” is aim at the base of the fire.
“S” is squeeze the lever.
“S” is sweep from side to side.
Make sure to back away and watch for the fire rekindling.
Douros also showed several videos on how quickly a fire can get out of control.
The presentation was the first in an emergency preparedness series at the social centre put on by the Town of Claresholm.
The next sessions will be:
• February of 2025, emergency preparedness kits or grab-and-go lists.
• May of 2025, learning what to do before, during, and after an emergency.
• Oct. 28, 2025, fire prevention and making an emergency plan.
