GAWLER Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) is encouraging local homeowners to be cautious when cooking this winter, as part of Home Fire Safety Week.

The safety prevention initiative, held from May 31 to June 6, aims to warn residents of the greatest winter house fire risks, with one of the biggest being cooking.

Each year, MFS and South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) firefighters battle nearly 300 cooking fires in homes across the state.

Gawler MFS station officer Tom Loftus said fires caused by cooking can be very common.

“It is important to have working smoke alarms at all times, they should be regularly checked and serviced every 12 months,” he said.

“It is also important to remember to keep clothes three metres away from combustion heaters.”

Adelaide MFS station officer Philip Evans said each day of Home Fire Safety Week, the MFS will promote different tips and advice on how to prevent fires.

“On Saturday, through social media we gave tips on how to use a therapeutic wheat bag safely,” he said.

“We encourage every home to have a fire blanket, they are cheap, easy to use and work efficiently.

“It is also important to have a fire escape plan, and that everyone else in the home knows what it is.

“In South Australia there has been around 278 domestic fires a year – all fires can be preventable.

“If there is a fire on the stovetop, never move it and never use water to try and put it out as it can make it worse.”

The MFS and CFS advise householders to store a dry chemical powder fire extinguisher with a minimum 5B (E) rating, as well as a fire blanket, near the exit to the kitchen.

For detailed home fire safety information, visit the MFS website mfs.sa.gov.au/site/community_safety/basic_ home_fire_safety_training_materials.jsp