Celebrate and cook safely this holiday weekend

Did you know cooking is the number one cause of house fires in Ontario? As you plan your holiday meals with loved ones this long weekend, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service is reminding everyone to keep fire safety top of mind.

When you are cooking, remember these important safety tips:

• Stay in the kitchen. If you must step away from the stove, turn it off and wait for it to cool down. Remove all items from the stovetop when you are finished cooking.

• Avoid all distractions and focus on the task in front of you.

• Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing as it can catch on fire.

• Keep flammable items - like oven mitts, cooking utensils, dish cloths, paper towels and potholders - a safe distance from the stove.

• Keep pets and young kids away from the stove and turn pot handles away from the stove's edge to avoid them being knocked over accidentally.

• Use a heat-resistant surface to cool down hot cookware.

• Keep a working 'ABC' or 'BC' fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

• Ensure your home has working smoke alarms and test all alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button.

• Never disable a smoke alarm - even if it's triggered by cooking. Instead, open a window or use a fan to clear the air.

• Develop a home escape plan so everyone in your household knows what to do if an emergency occurs.

In case of a grease or oil fire, smother the flames by completely covering the pan or deep fryer with a large metal lid, cooking sheet or flat tray. Never use water to put out a grease or oil fire - it will cause the fire to spread.

Are you including candles on your holiday table setting? Always use non-flammable candle holders and place candles where they will not be knocked down, away from paper decorations, tablecloths and napkins. Never leave candles unattended and keep them out of reach of children and pets. A better alternative is to use battery-powered flameless candles or candle warmers.

For more information and fire safety tips, visit vaughan.ca/fire.

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