Nearly 200 kitchen fires damaged Mississauga homes in last five years

Nearly 200 house fires in Mississauga between 2018 and 2022 started in the kitchen and firefighters want to help residents dramatically reduce that number.

As the key focus of 2023 National Fire Prevention Week, which runs until Saturday, Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services officials are encouraging residents to take time to learn how to protect themselves and others from “all-too-common kitchen fires.”

Fire officials say that 194 cooking-related blazes caused significant damage to Mississauga homes between 2018 and 2022.

“Although fires can take place anywhere, the kitchen is a hot spot,” Mississauga fire officials said in a news release today.

“After participating in the province’s first-ever Test Your Smoke Alarm Day in September, the City of Mississauga is now urging residents to stay safe in the kitchen.”

“Cooking safety starts with you” is the theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week.

“Learn about kitchen safety, the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home and how to create and practice your home escape plan,” fire officials say.

“Everyone can learn something new during Fire Prevention Week, whether you are just learning to cook or are already an expert.”

Officials also urge people to check out a wide range of multicultural cooking videos from local restaurants (and safety tips) focused on how to make a delicious meal safely in the kitchen.

Various events are planned in Mississauga to mark Fire Prevention Week.

A highrise apartment fire last week in Brampton also has firefighters there reminding residents to pay attention while in the kitchen.