High-tech fire prevention

Photo: Contributed

Just in time for Fire Prevention Week, a Kelowna tech company has launched new product that can help prevent kitchen fires.

iGuardFire has introduced the iGuardStove, a safety product which, when connect to your stove, turns it into a smart stove.

Developers say iGuard gives a stove the ability to automatically shut off if it determines a pot has been left unattended, with the potential for fire.

It offers features such as:

• Automatic shut off
• Lock out stove operations late at night
• SMS text alerts for emergencies
• Emergency quick shut off ability
• Child safe feature
• 12-month user history tracking
• Low temperature text alert for snowbirds.

"I live in a busy house with three children (all of them are learning to use the stove) and there have been
instances when they leave the cooking area unattended, greatly increasing the risk of smoke damage or a
fire," said Jeff Kristjanson of Banker and Traders Insurance.

"Last night, the device did it’s job three times while my youngest was cooking supper and I was in the other
room. IGuardStove is extra peace of mind knowing a disaster can be avoided before it starts. I love this
device."

The iGuardStove was launched after two years of development. It hits the market as fire departments across Canada celebrate Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4 to 10.

This year's theme is "Hear The Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!"

The West Kelowna fire hall and Westbank First Nation will be delivering the message by checking for working smoke alarms in two mobile home parks, Tuesday evening.

Since battery-operated alarms require more frequent maintenance and are easily disabled, fire personnel will be installing 10-year lithium alarms as required.