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Cooking is the number one cause of home fires, says Environment, Labour and Justice Minister Janice Sherry.

“Unattended cooking and unsafe kitchen habits can lead to a devastating fire,” said Ms. Sherry. “During Fire Prevention Week, October 6 - 12, 2013, and year-round I urge everyone to take steps to protect yourself, your family and your property.”

The Fire Marshal’s Office offers tips to help prevent kitchen fires:

• Stay in the kitchen. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires.

• Grease fires spread very quickly. The safest way to deep fry foods is to use a thermostatically controlled electric skillet or a deep fat fryer.

• Do not use water on a grease fire. Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet handy in case grease or oil catches fire. Quickly slide the lid or cookie sheet over the top of the pan to smother the fire.

• Never attempt to move a flaming pot or pan away from the stove. The movement can fan the flames and spread the fire. Quickly smother the fire with a lid or cookie sheet.

• Keep your oven clean. Grease and food splatters can ignite at high temperatures.

• When broiling foods, place the rack five to eight centimeters from the broiler and always use a drip pan to catch the fat drippings.

“Lives are lost due to kitchen fires every year in Canada,” said Provincial Fire Marshal Dave Rossiter. “Don't let this happen to you.”

For more information on fire prevention, contact your local fire department, email publicsafety@gov.pe.ca or contact the Provincial Fire Marshal’s Office at (902) 368-4869. Follow the Office of Public Safety on Facebook and Twitter @peipublicsafety.