30290-I-0151
A RECIPE FOR FIRE SAFETY BEWARE OF KITCHEN FIRES
HOLLIS GARDEN
A HABITAT FOR BUTTERFLIES
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
CINDY SHARP CRIME PREVENTION SUPERVISOR
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LPD SWAT TEAM
INTERNATIONAL GRAND CHAMPIONS
A RECIPE FOR FIRE SAFETY
Cooking fires and fires that begin in the kitchen are the leading cause of home fires in the United States and that holds true for Lakeland too. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home injuries and are the third leading cause of fire deaths in the nation, responsible for 480 fire deaths each year. Since January 1, 2014 of the 100 building fires in the Lakeland Fire Department’s service area to date, 52 of those have been attributed to kitchen fires. This alarming trend of over half of the fires in Lakeland beginning in the kitchen is why the department is reminding all residents how to prevent kitchen fires and what to do in the event that a kitchen fire occurs. Ingredients for Safety: Cook with Caution • Be alert • Stay in the kitchen when cooking • Check what you are cooking regularly • Keep anything that can catch fire (oven mitts, towels, utensils, etc.) away from the stovetop If it does go up in flames: • Get Out • Dial 9-1-1 • Keep a lid nearby to smother grease fires if small enough • Fire in the oven? Turn the heat off and keep the oven door closed Cooking with Oils? Be Extra Careful: Oil is a key ingredient found in the majority of today’s kitchens. Whether a recipe calls for frying or sautéing, we include oil in almost all of our daily cooking. When using any of the many oils to prepare your meals like olive, canola, corn or soybean, consider the following safety tips when cooking: • Always stay in the kitchen when using oil; no exceptions • Smoke coming from oils is a sign of danger. It means the oil is too hot so immediately turn off the burner or remove pan from heat source • Add foods gently to avoid splatter which often leads to injury • Always cook with a lid nearby. Grease/Oil fires are very dangerous and adding water in an attempt to extinguish it will cause the grease to splatter which will only help the fire spread. If the oil does combust, we recommend you: • Smother the fire with a lid if fire is small enough • Use an extinguisher capable of handling grease fires or, • Quickly evacuate and dial 9-1-1 for assistance. The Lakeland Fire Department also reminds you that every home needs working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms will warn you of a possible fire in your home and are proven to save lives. The department offers free smoke alarms to those in need. More information about the LFD Smoke Alarms Program and fire safety, including more about kitchen fires, is available at www.lakelandgov.net/lfd.
CITY OF LAKELAND NEWS & EVENTS
DECEMBER 2014
CITY SUCCESSES: TELLING OUR STORY
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently recognized The Lakeland Center for being the first venue in the nation to achieve both the Storm Ready and Lightning Safety for Venues designations. The project was completed with the generous support of Polk County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service office in Ruskin. Brandon Flynn, Guest Services Manager for The Lakeland Center, created a comprehensive communication plan designed to keep both patrons and employees safe in the event of severe weather. Through his coordination, the Lakeland Center received this prestigious dual certification. Congratulations to The Lakeland Center for this accomplishment and for making the City of Lakeland a safer place!