A few simple steps can prevent a cooking fire

Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention.

That’s the theme for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8-14, sponsored annually by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This year’s focus on cooking safety works to educate the public about simple, but important steps, they can take to help reduce the risk of fire when cooking at home, keeping themselves and those around them safe.

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. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and related deaths.

In addition, data shows that cooking is the only major cause of fire that resulted in more fires and fire deaths in 2014-18, than in 1980-84.

“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 outreach and advocacy at the NFPA.

The following are cooking safety tips that support this year’s theme of cooking safely:

• Always keep a close eye on what’s cooking. For foods with longer cook times, such as those that are simmering or baking, set a timer to help monitor them carefully.

• Clear the cooking area of combustible items and keep anything that can burn, such as dish towels, oven mitts, food packaging and paper towels.

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.

• Create a “kid and pet-free zone” of at least three feet around the cooking area, and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Staying in the kitchen, using a timer and avoiding distractions that remove focus from what’s on the stove, are among the key messages for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign.