Fire prevention week coming up

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Greenfield Fire Territory Deputy Chief Jason Horning, left; firefighter AJ Lewman; firefighter/paramedic Greg Hodge; firefighter Bill King; firefighter Shawn May and battalion chief Joe Cales show some of the safety kits available that will be distributed during Fire Prevention Week, which is Oct. 3-9. (Submitted photo)

GREENFIELD — It’s a hard fact: Many home fires start in the kitchen. Local and national officials want to remind people of those dangers ahead of Fire Prevention Week Oct. 3-9.

The annual public awareness campaign, sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association, works to educate people about simple steps they can take to promote safety at home.

Officials with the Greenfield Fire Territory will be making kits available to the schools they visit that contain educational fire prevention materials about kitchen fires.

“Any time we can do anything to help prevent a fire, well that’s what we’re all about and that’s what we want,” said Corey Breese, public information officer for the department.

According to the NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half, some 44%, of reported home fires started in the kitchen.

Two-thirds of fires, or some 66% of home cooking fires, start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

Adam Jurs, an agent for State Farm Insurance in Greenfield who is participating in the awareness campaign, said it’s important to take a proactive approach in educating the public.

“A cooking fire can grow quickly,” Jurs said in a press release. “I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”

More information about Fire Prevention Week is available online at www.fpw.org.

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Safety tips to prevent cooking fires

• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

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

• You have to be alert when cooking. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.

• Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.

• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Source: The National Fire Protection Association

 

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