Oct. 6-12 is National Fire Prevention week, and this year's message is focused on preventing kitchen fires. More fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home and teaching residents how to keep cooking fires from starting in the first place is a key goal, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
The Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention blog reminds the public to be aware of fire dangers in the kitchen.
According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), two out of every five home fires and most home fire-related injuries are caused by unattended cooking,
Suggested are the following family safety checklist and Fire Safety tips that will help prevent a fire from starting in the kitchen or at home:
- Be alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food. Keep an eye on what you fry! Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove by keeping children and pets away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Use the stove's back burners whenever possible.
- When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.
- Keep anything that can catch fire like potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop.
- Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.
National Fire Prevention Week lasts from Oct. 6 through Oct. 12.
"Prevent Kitchen Fires.”
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
