Fire Prevention Week focuses on safety in the kitchen
The Mount Prospect -based, nonprofit Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is promoting national Fire Prevention Week and this year's campaign, "Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!"
The campaign works to educate everyone about the simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
"We know cooking fires can be prevented," said Lorraine Carli, NFPA's vice president of outreach and advocacy. "Staying in the kitchen, using a timer, and avoiding distractions such as electronics or TV are steps everyone can take to keep families safe in their homes."
The IFSA encourages all Illinois residents to embrace the 2020 Fire Prevention Week theme.
"The most important step you should take before making a meal is to 'Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!'" said Fire Chief Jim Kreher, IFSA president. "A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented."
Illinois Fire Safety Alliance wants to share safety tips to keep you from having a cooking fire:
• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• Have a "kid-free zone" of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you're cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you're cooking.
• You have to be alert when cooking. You won't be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance will be highlighting many more fire safety tips in support of this year's Fire Prevention Week on its social media pages. To find out more about Fire Prevention Week and home fire safety tips, visit the following pages:
• IFSA Facebook: www.facebook.com/IllinoisFireSafetyAlliance
• IFSA Instagram: www.instagram.com/ilfiresafety
• IFSA Twitter: www.twitter.com/ILFireSafety
Since 1982, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, has been dedicated to fire safety and burn prevention throughout Illinois. The IFSA also hosts burn survivor support programs, including Camp "I Am Me," a unique weeklong camp for children who have experienced severe burn injuries.
For more information, visit www.IFSA.org.