How often has the doorbell rung or a child interrupted you while you were cooking, causing you to forget about the food you left sizzling on the stove – until smoke filled the house or apartment?

"Our statistics show that the leading cause of fires in the downtown core is in kitchens and caused by in particular, pans left unattended;" stated Fire Chief Doug Barfoot. "If I could give just one fire warning, I'd say, stand by your pan!"

The Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services are looking to partner with downtown building owners and occupants to reduce and eliminate fires in the downtown core and the throughout the City of Owen Sound.

Often when the Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services is called to a cooking-related fire, the residents tell us they only left the kitchen for a few minutes. Sadly, that's all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. The bottom line is that there's really no safe period of time for the cook to step away from a hot stove. A few key points to remember:

· Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the room even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

· When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.

· Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (e.g. potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).

· Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of three feet around the stove.

· If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out of the home and call the fire department

· Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (make sure you are wearing the oven mitt). Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, do not remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.

· If an oven fire starts, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.

A cooking fire can quickly turn deadly. Stand by your pan!

The Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services would like to remind you that smoke alarms are required on every level and outside each sleeping area. Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives. For more information go to www.owensoundfireems.com

source: media release, City of Owen Sound