Justice and Public Safety
December 9, 2015

Public Advisory: The 12 Days of Fire Safety - Day One

As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians prepare to celebrate the holiday season, the Provincial Government is reminding residents to take steps to protect their homes and loved ones from potential fire hazards.

This season, Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) will mark the lead up to Christmas with the 12 Days of Fire Safety. Every weekday until Christmas Eve, FES-NL will provide seasonal fire safety tips as well as a chance for children and youth to enter a fun fire safety contest.

Day 1: Holiday Cooking

Cooking is a leading cause of home fires year-round but the risk increases during the holidays. Follow these tips to help ensure safe meal preparation:

• Do not cook if you are impaired by alcohol or other drugs;
• Do not leave your stovetop or oven unattended when it use;
• Check food regularly to ensure it is not burning; and
• Keep anything flammable, such as oven mitts, a safe distance from sources of heat.

If faced with a cooking fire, follow these steps:

• Keep a lid nearby when cooking to smother small grease fires. Cover the pan, turn off the stovetop, and leave it until it cools;
• If food catches fire in your oven, turn off the heat and ensure the door remains closed;
• Never fight a grease fire with water. Always use a fire extinguisher; and
• Just get out. Call 911 and evacuate the building.

All residents of the province are invited to visit @FES_GovNL on Twitter during the 12 Days of Fire Safety to complete our fire safety quiz for the chance to win an emergency preparedness kit.

For more information about fire safety and emergency preparedness, visit the FES-NL website: www.gov.nl.ca/fes

- 30 -

Media contact:

Ryan Crocker Media Relations Manager Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-0857, 709-690-1810 ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca

2015 12 09                              10:25 a.m.