Fire Prevention Week is October 4th-10th. This year’s theme is Serve Up Safety in the Kitchen! Perfect way to teach kids about fire safety and a great refresher for adults!
Cooking safety tips
- Cover a pan or grease fire with a lid and turn off the heat. Baking soda also works.
- Don’t move a burning pan.
- Don’t use water or a fire extinguisher on a grease fire.
- Stand by your pan. Don’t leave food, grease or oils cooking on the stove top unattended.
- Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
- Keep pot handles turned inward to prevent spills.
- Create a three-foot child-free zone around the stove. Keep pets away also.
- Keep combustible items like pot holders, towels, and paper or plastic bags away from burners.
- Don’t put metal in a microwave. Utensils, aluminum foil or twist-tie wraps can cause a fire.
- Use caution with microwaved food and liquid. They can become very hot.
- Unplug appliances like toasters and coffee makers when not in use.
- Don’t use the oven for storage.
If a fire begins:
- If your clothing catches fire, STOP, DROP & ROLL to put out the flames. Put burns in cool running water for 10-15 minutes. Call 9-1-1 for help.
- For fires inside an oven or microwave, keep the door closed, turn off the appliance, and call the fire department.
Did you Know?
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
