| Thanksgiving is once again upon us and that means an increase in the number of fires in the kitchen. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that in 2009 home cooking fires were three times more likely to occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. With a home and kitchen full of guests on Thanksgiving, people are more likely to not notice fire and safety hazards. Cooking fires are the number one cause of fires and injuries in the home. From 2005-2009, cooking equipment accounted for an estimated average of 155,440 home fires. These fires caused an annual average of 390 civilian deaths, 4,800 civilian injuries, and $771 million in property damage.
The few extra minutes it takes to make sure your kitchen and cooking operations are safe will pay dividends in the long run. By keeping your kitchen and cooking equipment safe you reduce the chance of fire and injury to you or one of your guests. The NFPA and the United States Fire Administration have compiled two web pages that are full of information to help keep your Thanksgiving fire safe. Take a few minutes to view the two links below, and on behalf of the Officers and Firefighters of the Willingboro Fire Department, have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
http://www.nfpa.org/newsReleaseDetails.asp?categoryid=488&itemId=54038
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/focus/cooking.shtm |
