Fire Prevention Week kicked off on Sunday, and the theme this year is Cooking Safety Starts with You.

Acting Assistance Chief at the saskatoon Fire Department Ryan Bradley says cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. He shares some tips on how you can prevent such accidents, such as staying by the pan when the burner is on, setting a timer, turn pot handles toward the back of the stove, and wear tight-fitting clothing to prevent the possibility of catching fire. He also advises to have a kid- and pet-free cooking zone, meaning keep children and pets a minimum of three feet away from the stove. Bradley shares some tips for outdoor cooking, including making sure that tree branches, deck railings, and siding is not too close to the grill.
Along with cooking tips, Bradley underlines the importance of smoke alarms. A smoke alarm must be present on all levels of the home, and one must be within five metres of each sleeping room. He recommends changing their batteries at least biannually.

He encourages the public to find more information on Saskatoon.ca/firesafety.