Nelson Fire Department announces 'Age Friendly Fire Safety Campaign'
By Contributor
Nelson Fire Rescue is proud to announce our “Age Friendly Fire Safety Campaign.”
In partnership with Maglio Building Centre, and Lakeview Village, we are undertaking a pilot study project to bring increased fire safety and prevention to seniors living semi-independently in residential care facilities.
Studies have shown that cooking fires in the kitchen are a leading cause of structure fires, and injuries. Local experience has shown a steady number of “burnt food” incidents ranging from minor nuisance alarms to complete structural losses.
For a senior living in a care facility, any kitchen cooking incident, no matter how minor, can have significant consequences. It can shake their confidence, threaten their independence, and cause family and care givers to question their level of care.
With this program we hope to both enhance the safety of Nelson Seniors, as well as help them maintain the independence of their current living and care arrangements.
Maglios Building Centre has donated “Stove Reminders” to six of the Lakeview Village Residents. Similar to the life-saving value of smoke alarms, these alarms detect the flow of electricity to a stove or range, and give the resident a reminder that the unit is still turned on.
The “Stove Reminder” pilot study project has recently been endorsed by the B.C. Fire Chief’s Association. It is our hope that this electronic aid, paired with practical and regular fire safety tips, will help make seniors, often more vulnerable to the hazards of fire, safer in our community.
If you know a senior living independently in our community who may benefit from a “Stove Reminder” or a fire safety visit from Nelson Fire Rescue, please call the Fire Department at 352-3103.
7 Essential Tips to Kitchen Fire Safety:
1) Never leave cooking unattended, even for a short time.
2) When using timed devices such as microwaves and toaster ovens, double check to ensure proper power and time settings.
3) Do not wear loose fitting clothing while cooking.
4) Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove to prevent accidentally knocking them over.
5) Keep appliances clean and the cooking area uncluttered.
6) Place only cooking pots on top of the stove, even when turned off. Never dish towels, oven gloves, or plastic bowls.
7) To extinguish a stove top fire, use an oven glove to slide a lid or cookie sheet over the flames. Turn off heat. Never attempt to carry a burning pot.
Photo Caption: From left to right, Scott Jeffery – Nelson Fire Rescue, Skip Burgoyne – Maglio Building Centre, Marcelle Baker – Lakeview Village Resident, Isabella Lukett – Lakeview Village Resident, Vera Hamilton – Lakeview Village Resident, Bob Patton – Nelson Fire Rescue, Janet Boisvert – Lakeview Village Community Manager.
