Pittsboro

Chatham and Orange county fire safety agencies team up to bring awareness during Fire Prevention Week October 4-10

Pittsboro, NC – Chatham and Orange County Fire Safety agencies are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” Fire Prevention Week is October 4-10, 2020. The campaign works to educate everyone about simple, but important, actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

fire match smoke flame
Photo by Pixabay

According to NFPA®, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen and 66% of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

“Most fires related to cooking are a result of unattended items,” said Chatham County Fire Marshal Billy Judson. “Sometimes dinner time can be pretty hectic, but I encourage you to stay in the kitchen while cooking, use a timer to remind you, and avoid distractions. These are the most effective ways to prevent cooking fires or injury.”

Here are a few tips on fire safety in the kitchen:

  • Never leave cooking food unattended and check food regularly.
  • Don’t cook while sleepy or having taken medicine or drugs that make you drowsy.
  • Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you are cooking.
  • If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame and leave it there until it has completely cooled.
  • Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove/hot areas.

Chatham and Orange County Fire Safety Partners and NFPA have lots of free resources available to children, families, and educators, including:

Learn more about Fire Prevention Week and fire safety in the kitchen at www.fpw.org.