10/08/13 The State Fire Marshal is encouraging Hoosiers to participate in Fire Prevention Week from October 6-12. The theme of the week is ‘Prevent Kitchen Fires.’

The Fire Marshal’s Office is a division of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

“Kitchen fires are the most common type of fire and are easily preventable,” said Jim Greeson, Indiana State Fire Marshal. “Often when we’re called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes. Sadly, that’s all it takes for a dangerous fire to start.”

During this year’s fire safety campaign, fire departments will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires, most of which result from unattended cooking, and teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.

In 2012, fire departments in Indiana responded to more than 1,500 cooking fires. Most kitchen fires occur from unattended cooking. Residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more likely to survive a fire.

According to the latest National Fire Protection Association research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen, more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.

 

Safety tips to always keep in mind while cooking: 

·   Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.

·   When leaving the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

·   When simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer.

·   Use the stove’s back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three away from the stove.

·   The kitchen is not a play area. Keep children’s play sets and toys outside of the kitchen.

·   When cooking, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.

·   Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from the stovetop.

·   Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country.