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Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14

For this year's Fire Prevention Week, we are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to promote this year's theme, "Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention." We will also have an Open House on October 10th from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Company 1 Firehouse, 1485 Main Street.

  • Smoke trailer

  • Stove fire demonstration

  • Extinguisher demonstration

  • Safe grill practices

  • Touch a Truck

  • Fire gear display

  • Forcible entry door (Adults only)

  • Operate a fire hose!

Home Cooking Fire Facts:

  • US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 172,900 home structure fires per year started by cooking activities in 2014-2018. These fires caused an average of 550 civilian deaths, 4,820 reported civilian fire injuries, and more than $1 billion in direct property damage per year.

  • Home fires caused by cooking peaked at Thanksgiving and Christmas. In 2018, fire departments responded to an average of 470 home cooking fires per day.

  • Ovens and stove cooktops were involved in the 61% of reported home cooking fires, 87% of cooking fire deaths and 78% of cooking fire injuries.

  • Households that use electric ranges have a higher risk of cooking fires and associated losses than those using gas ranges.

  • Unattended cooking was the leading cause of cooking fires and casualties. Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but clothing ignitions led to 8% of the home cooking fire deaths.

  • More than one-quarter of the people killed by cooking fires were sleeping at the time. More than half of the non-fatal injuries occurred when people tried to control the fire themselves.

Home Grill Fire Facts:

  • US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 10,600 home structure and outdoor fires involving grills per year during 2014–2018. These fires caused an average of 10 civilian deaths, 160 civilian injuries, and $149 million in direct property damage annually.

  • The leading area of origin for structure fires involving grills was an exterior balcony or open porch, and 44% of the property damage from grill structure fires resulted from fires that started there.

  • The leading factors contributing to grill fires overall were failure to clean, leaks or breaks, leaving the grill unattended, and having the grill too close to something that could catch fire.

  • Gas grills were involved in an average of 8,900 home fires per year.  Leaks or breaks were primarily a problem with gas grills.

Safety Tips:

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are using an appliance. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

  • Use a timer as a reminder that you are cooking.

  • Keep any flammable objects such as oven mitts, food packaging, and towels away from the stove top.

  • Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so that no one can bump them or pull them over.
  • Establish a 3 foot kid free zone from any stove or grill
  • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup.
  • If gas is used, it should be checked for any leaks using a mixture of soap and water on the hose.
  • When using a grill, it should be kept in an open space away from any flammable objects including siding, deck railings, and tree branches.

If a fire occurs...

  • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

  • Call 911 when you are in a safe location.

  • If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.

  • Smother a fire by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the stove top. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

For more information, visit the NFPA Website

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All information courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association

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