The Burbank Fire Department announced that it was teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to celebrate the 101st anniversary of Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 8 through Oct. 14.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign — “Cooking safety starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention” — works to educate the community about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe, officials said.
According to the NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths.
“Year after year, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for half (49%) of all U.S. home fires,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA.
“These numbers tell us that there is still much work to do when it comes to better educating the public about ways to stay safe when cooking.”
The Burbank Fire Department offers these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire.
• Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
• Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.
Follow the Burbank Fire Department on Facebook and Twitter at @BurbankCA, and on Instagram at @BurbankFireCA for more educational resources and information about keeping safe from home fires.
First published in the October 7 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
