The Yakima Fire Department (YFD) is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote National Fire Prevention Week, which begins Sunday, October 8th, and continues through Saturday, October 14th. The 2023 campaign theme is, “Cooking safety starts with YOU.”
This year’s campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“Year after year, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for nearly half (49 percent) of all U.S. home fires,” said Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. People are injured and homes are damaged by fires that could easily have been prevented.”
YFD offers the following safety tips:
- Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
- Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
