Woodstock Fire Department Launches New Campaign

Sunday, 16 December 2018 06:53

Expect to see some new fire prevention posters popping up around Woodstock.

WOODSTOCK - The Woodstock Fire Department has launched a new fire prevention campaign.

Public Information Coordinator Lisa Woods says they are trying to raise awareness on the major causes of fires.

"Cooking fire safety because it is the number one cause, unattended cooking is the number one cause of fires and then number 2, smoking is a big one and it's not just in our community, it is in communities across Ontario and then the 3rd item we are trying to stress, is make sure your alarms work and check your batteries."

Woods says the campaign includes posters in transit shelters, ads and targeted social media.

"We started the campaign in bus shelters, but we are going to be getting them out into public forums and getting them out in our social media and it's just a reminder, it's short on words but it's impact graphics that make you look twice and actually read it, so we are hoping that will get through to people."

Unattended cooking fires are the number one cause of fires across Canada and the United States and account for 52% of all cooking fires. Stove top fires account for 71% of all cooking fires.

How do I prevent a cooking fire?

* Always stay in the kitchen while cooking. If you must leave, turn off the stove.

* Keep anything that burns — cooking utensils, dishcloths, paper towels and pot holders — a safe distance from the stove.

* Loose-fitting clothes can come into contact with stove burners and catch fire. Wear tight sleeves or roll them up when cooking.

How do I prevent a smoking fire?

* Encourage smokers to smoke outside.

* Do not extinguish cigarettes in plant pots, which may contain a mixture of peat moss, shredded wood and bark that can easily ignite.

* Never smoke in bed.

* Use large, deep ashtrays that cannot be knocked over.

* Empty ashes into a metal container – not the garbage can – and put it outside.

* If people have been smoking in your home, check behind chair and sofa cushions for cigarette butts before going to bed.