It’s that time of the year again! Fire Prevention week is back. This important week is celebrated every October in North America. Entering it’s 101th year, Fire Prevention Week educates citizens about the leading causes and risks of fires. People will also learn how they can better protect themselves and their loved ones. Local community organizations, fire departments, and schools play a crucial role in providing critical safety messages.

For 2023, the theme is “Cooking Safety Starts with YOU!”

Did you know that cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with nearly half of all home fires involving cooking equipment. Cooking is also the leading cause of home fire injuries and unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and related deaths. Cooking is the only major cause of fire that resulted in more fires and fire deaths in 2014-2018 than in 1980-1984.

“These numbers tell us that more public awareness is needed around when and where cooking hazards exist, along with ways to prevent them,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of the Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign will work to promote tips, guidelines, and recommendations that can help significantly reduce the risk of having a cooking fire.”

Cooking Safety

Make sure you are alert! If you are sleepy don’t use the stove or stovetop. Make sure to stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a small (grease) cooking fire on the stovetop and decide to fight the fire, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning 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.

If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Make sure to call 911 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

Resources

The good news is most cooking fires can be easily prevented. Help keep your family safe with these effective, yet simple tips.

Learn more about Fire Prevention Week by clicking here.

– Andrea Capriotti, YWCA Northwestern Illinois Infant Toddler Specialist and former firefighter