As Fire Prevention Week approaches October 8 through 14, the Folsom Fire Department reminds residents: “Cooking safety starts with you! Pay attention to fire prevention.”
The focus for this year is on cooking safety, which is in response to the National Fire Protection Association’s newest cooking fire data. According to the data, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the U.S.
Simple but important actions when cooking can help keep residents safe. The Folsom Fire Department offers these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire:
- Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
- Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 meter) around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
For more information about the Folsom Fire Department, visit www.folsom.ca.us/fire. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit fpw.org. For fire safety fun for kids, visit sparky.org.
