Fire Prevention Week is October 3–9. Did you know cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries? This year, let’s focus on safety in the kitchen while cooking.

Safety tips while cooking: 

• Stay in the kitchen: when cooking in the kitchen, make sure you stay nearby. If you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the stove or oven. 
• Keep your cooking area clutter free: keep your stovetop clean and free of anything that can catch fire 
• Keep a 3 foot child-free zone around your cooking area 
• Make sure pets are not underfoot 
• Call someone if you need help. If a fire starts, call the fire department using 9-1-1. 
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working properly

If a fire does start in your home, it is important not to panic and follow these steps: 

• If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool. 
• Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen. 
• If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the oven and leave the door closed. 
• If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. 
• Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy.