By Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
October 13, 2023 Edition
Mount Pearl councillors got a quick lesson Tuesday on how to keep safety in mind when cooking at home.
The advice was offered by Fire Prevention Officer Cara Pardy of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, which is responsible for answering fire calls in Mount Pearl and Paradise, maintaining stations in both municipalities along with St. John’s.
Pardy’s visit was part of Fire Prevention Week, which runs October 8th to the 14th.
As cooking is the leading cause of house fires, the motto this year is “Cooking safety starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention.”
During her presentation, Pardy said cooking fires often start because people are not paying attention.
“If you’re sleepy or if you consume some alcoholic beverages or other substances that may make you sleepy, my best advice is what I tell everybody: have a sandwich or a bowl of cereal. Something that you don’t have to heat up. If you’re going to cook, use a timer to remind you.”
Pardy suggested changing the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors when the clocks change twice a year, and reminded everyone that smoke alarms are only useful for 10 years.
“Without good, fresh working batteries your smoke alarms aren’t going to do what they’re supposed to do,” she said.
The Fire Department kicked off the week this past Saturday with family friendly open-house events at the Paradise station on Topsail Road, the Mount Pearl station on Olympic Drive, and the fire station on Blackmarsh Road. that featured a variety of activities aimed at fire prevention awareness.
Pardy said they like to teach small children because “their brains are like little sponges, and then they go home and teach their parents and grandparents.”
In addition to the open-houses, there will be an information booth in the Avalon Mall, fire drills throughout the region, and a poster contest.
Mayor Dave Aker echoed Pardy’s sentiments and read a proclamation declaring Fire Prevention Week in Mount Pearl.
“I call upon the people of the City of Mount Pearl to participate in fire prevention activities at home, work, and school and to take the steps needed to make their homes and families safe from the leading causes of home fires,” he said.
Fire Prevention Officer Cara Pardy appeared before Mount Pearl city council this week to offer some advice on safe habits in the kitchen. On hand were, from left: councillors Jim Locke, Chelsea Lane, Mayor Dave Aker, Cara Pardy, and councillors Bill Antle and Mark Rice. Photo by Chad Feehan.
