Cooking Safety Focus of Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8-14

Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NRPA). Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths. Carefully implementing the safety steps into your everyday cooking routine can help reduce and prevent home fires.

The NRPA 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Cooking Safety starts with you”, focuses on cooking safety and education on simple, but important actions you can take to keep you and those around you safe while cooking.

Cooking fires can be prevented with the following steps:

1. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

2. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.

3. Watch what you heat. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

4. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drink is prepared or carried.

Practicing these cooking safety reminders is important to safely enjoy cooking with family and friends. For additional ways to prevent fire incidents and for fire-preventative assistance, visit www.westerville.org/fire.