According to the National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA), the number-one cause of fires and fire-related injuries in the home is cooking. October 4-10 is Fire Prevention Week and the NFPA is shedding some light on this issue with a campaign to “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”
In support of the NFPA’s mission and celebration of Fire Prevention Week, we’re sharing our own recipe to help you prevent fires in your home – starting with the kitchen! Our simple recipe below offers ingredients full of knowledge and tips for fire safety in your kitchen.
Recipe for Fire Safety in the Kitchen :: From the Office of SIS Insurance
1. Prep yourself by digesting these facts from the NFPA:
- The top causes of accidental home fires include cooking, heating, electrical distribution, lighting equipment, and smoking.
- Every year there are between 350,000 and 400,000 house fires in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association.
- Most cooking-related fires are due to unattended cooking.
- Frying is the number-one activity associated with cooking fires.
- Thanksgiving Day is the number-one day for cooking-related home fires.
- Fun Fact: In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge made Fire Prevention Week a national observance.
2. Before you begin cooking, make sure your stove top, toaster, or other cooking surfaces are free from clutter.
3. Avoid wearing loose fitting shirts while you cook, especially those with long sleeves that hang and are more apt to catch fire.
4. Use a timer to help remind you of cooking time and alert you to when it’s time to remove food from the stove or oven.
5. Stay in the kitchen while your food cooks. Don’t multitask or leave the room, especially when using the stove top or a fryer.
6. Keep pets and small children free of the cooking area.
7. Make sure all pan handles are turned inward as to avoid bumping into them and possibly causing a spill.
8. And remember:
- If a fire breaks out in your oven, turn it off immediately. Let the contents cool down before you clean it.
- Clean up! Make sure to clean your stove and remove crumbs from toasters after use.
- Unplug your electric kitchen devices when they’re not in use.
- Keep your fire extinguisher in an open, easy to access area of your kitchen.
- Ensure that your smoke detector is working properly and that batteries are replaced periodically.
For more information on fire prevention and safety, visit www.nfpa.org. To inquire about fire protection and your homeowners insurance policy, contact SIS Insurance via email at insirance@mySISinsurance.com or by phone at 518.783.1010.