The Yakima Fire Department (YFD) is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote National Fire Prevention Week, which began Sunday, October 4th and continues through Saturday, October 10th. The 2020 campaign theme is, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”
The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“Safety is the most important step you should take before making a meal,” said Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. We at YFD have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”
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. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
YFD is sharing the following safety tips to help prevent cooking fires:
- Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
- You have to be alert when cooking. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
- Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
- Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
Throughout Fire Prevention Week, YFD will provide reminders of these and other important fire safety tips on-line at https://yakimafire.com/life-safety/national-fire-prevention-week/ and on social media at https://www.facebook.com/YakimaFireDepartment/ and https://twitter.com/YakimaCityFire
Click https://yakimafire.com/ for more about YFD.