During Fire Prevention Week, which is being recognized this year from Oct. 8 to 14, we are sharing important cooking safety tips to help keep residents safe.
Fire Prevention Week is organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The goal of Fire Prevention Week is to educate the public about simple but important ways they can keep themselves and those they live with safe.
This year’s theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention” aims to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking.
According to the NFPA, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries and unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking-related fires and deaths.
The NFPA urges all community members to take the following steps to ensure they are cooking safely and are actively preventing cooking fires:
- Cook with Caution: Never use the stove or stovetop if you’re tired or have consumed alcohol.
- If you’re frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food you should stay in the kitchen. Turn off the stove when leaving the kitchen.
- If you’re simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer as a reminder.
- Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, dish towels, wooden utensils, food packaging, or curtains away from the stovetop.
- Keep children and pets away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, coffee and other food and drink could cause serious burns.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children. They should be kept up high in a locked cabinet.
- Keep the kitchen and dining room floor clear so there is less risk of tripping.
- For a small stovetop fire, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. The oven should be checked and/or serviced before being used again.
- Test your smoke alarms and make sure the batteries are replaced if needed.
- Close the door to the kitchen and call 9-1-1 from outside in the case of a fire.
Residents are also reminded of the importance of having large and clearly visible house numbers to help first responders easily find your home. Numbers should be facing the street, should be visible at night and should not be blocked by trees or bushes. Those with long driveways should have house numbers on both sides of a mailbox or sign pole at the end of their driveway near the roadway.
To learn more about Fire Prevention Week, click here.
