Fire Prevention week kicks off October 4th and runs thru October 10th. This years theme is "Serve up Fire Safety in the kitchen". Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and injuries? The leading cause of cooking fires is unattended cooking and most cooking fires involve the kitchen stove. The following are some tips to stay safe while you're cooking!

“Cook with Caution”

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.

• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop. If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire...

• On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

If you should have any questions or concerns regarding fire safety in your home, please feel free to contact us 609-871-7476.