Prevent Cooking Fires

Watch What You Heat

*Between 1999-2002, there were 114,000 reported home fires associated with cooking equipment every year, resulting in an annual 290 deaths and 4380 injuries.

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires. Three in 10 reported home fires start in the kitchen - more than any other place in the home.

COOKING TIPS

• Don't cook if you are drowsy or feeling the effects of alcohol, medication or other drugs
  
• Roll up your sleaves and don't wear loose fitting clothing. If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll until the fire is out.
  
• Clean cooking equipment regularly to remove grease or cooking materials that can ignite.

Test your smoke alarms to make sure they're working so that if a fire does start you'll have the early warning necessary for everyone to exit the home quickly. Sit down with the whole family and work out an escape plan. Everyone needs to know how to get out of the house if a fire starts. Be sure to designate a meeting place outside the house where everyone can gather once they're out. Check the cords to any electrical heaters you have to make sure that they're not frayed or worn and be sure that all other heating appliances are in good working order.

The Rochester Fire Department will host and participate in many activities during Fire Prevention Week, and we'd like to talk to you about fire prevention and safety. If you live in the city and you need a smoke alarm or if you'd like a home or business safety inspection, please call us at 428-1362.

*According to NFPA