Minister wants blanket coverage of kitchen fire safety

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts wants to enlist popular television cooking shows to help to promote fire safety in Queensland kitchens.

Speaking at a kitchen fire safety demonstration today, Mr Roberts said almost half of all Queensland house fires started in the kitchen, with an extra 82 kitchen fires last financial year (876 in 2007-08 compared to 794 in 2006-07).

“They can cook up a storm every episode, but the reality is that the humble kitchen is the greatest source of fire danger in the house.

“In Queensland, 46% of all house fires start in the kitchen and the number of fires is increasing,” Mr Roberts said.

Mr Roberts said celebrity TV-chefs, like Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver and Ian ‘Huey’ Hewitson and programs such as Ready Steady Cook, have inspired people to become more adventurous in the kitchen, but they could do more to highlight kitchen fire safety.

“There is no doubt cooking shows have expanded our horizons in the kitchen. With hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders watching and learning from these chefs, I believe these programs can play an important part in promoting fire safety in the kitchen,” Mr Roberts said.

“I am writing to the Heads of Programming of all the major Australian television networks, asking them to consider including kitchen fire safety tips in locally-produced shows. I’ve also asked them to contact producers from overseas programs with the same message.”

Mr Roberts said the Department of Emergency Services promotes kitchen fire safety through its Safehome program, with the offer of a free fire blanket.

“Today’s demonstration has proven that fire blankets are one of the most important fire safety tools the family home can have.”

“A limited number will be available across the State to those who organise a Safehome inspection, where a firefighter comes to the home and conducts a fire safety audit.

Last month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 97% of Queensland households had a smoke alarm/detector, while only 21% had a fire blanket.

Information about Safehome can be found at www.fire.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 003.

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