Cooking is often relaxing and fun and the kitchen a wonderful place for families and friends to gather. But as you know, cooking is also the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.
During Fire Prevention Week, remind your community about these cooking facts to help them understand the fire risks in the kitchen.
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires.
Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking at high temperatures. If you must leave, turn off the burner. When simmering on the stove or baking in the oven, set a timer if you leave the kitchen to remind you that you are cooking. It is very easy to get distracted by electronics and lose track of time.
Many home cooking fires happen on the kitchen range.
Before you turn on the heat, move dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper and curtains, anything that can burn, away from the stove. When you are finished, wipe up any spills or food that may have fallen on the stove.
Frying is the greatest risk for a home cooking fire.
Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking at high temperatures, like frying, boiling and grilling. When oil gets too hot it can easily start a fire. Keep a pot lid or a cookie sheet nearby when you are cooking at high temperatures. If the pot starts to flame, put the lid or cookie sheet over the pot, turn off the heat and let it cool.