Kitchen Safety Headlines Fire Prevention Week In Golden Valley

Press release from the City of Golden Valley:

October 2, 2020

Cooking may be an activity many people do on automatic pilot, but that is exactly what can make it a dangerous task and the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), and this is why Kitchen Safety is being highlighted for Fire Prevention Week Oct 4–10, 2020.

The top factor contributing to kitchen fires is unattended cooking. 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, and never leave the home while food is cooking.

Other top contributors to kitchen fires include leaving flammable items near stoves and ovens, cooking at temperatures too high, loose clothing over open flames, and not having a kitchen appropriate fire extinguisher on hand.

Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

With many kids and parents at home these days, going over a few fire safety tips is a no-brainer.

• Always keep a lid nearby when cooking on the stovetop. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it’s cool. Never put water on a grease fire!
• If a fire starts inside your oven or microwave, leave the door closed and turn off power to the appliance.
• Establish a “Kid-Free Zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared.
• Practice fire drills with every member of your house present. Find a safe meeting place outside your home. Choose a tree or a mailbox or something else that doesn’t usually move.
• Let your kids play any of the NFPA’s educational games to learn more about fire safety at sparky.org.

For more on kitchen fire safety and Fire Prevention Week, visit the NFPA website.

This press release was produced by the City of Golden Valley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.