Fire Prevention Week
Hallettsville Fire Department
Shiner Fire Department
Moulton Fire Department
Sweet Home Fire Department
Yoakum Fire Department

Fire Prevention Week now under way

 This year's theme: 'Cooking Safety starts with you! Pay attention to fire prevention'

  • Yoakum FD and Yoakum PD will gather at their annual National Night Out at the fire station once again this year on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Here's a scene from their 2019 event.
    Yoakum FD and Yoakum PD will gather at their annual National Night Out at the fire station once again this year on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Here's a scene from their 2019 event.
  • Last year's Fire Prevention Week in Shiner.
    Last year's Fire Prevention Week in Shiner.
  • Shiner Fire Department volunteers at a recent training session.
    Shiner Fire Department volunteers at a recent training session.
  • Moulton firemen usually give local kindergartners one of their most memorable moments of their schooltime in Moulton, when they give the little guys a ride abord their biggest firetruck. Graduating high school seniors told us that.
    Moulton firemen usually give local kindergartners one of their most memorable moments of their schooltime in Moulton, when they give the little guys a ride abord their biggest firetruck. Graduating high school seniors told us that.
  • A shot Moulton's National Night Out parade in 2021.
    A shot Moulton's National Night Out parade in 2021.

Fire Prevention Week begins Monday and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has designated the week with the theme “Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention”.

The annual designation of Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 8 – 14)  focusing on cooking safety works to educate the public about simple important steps to take to help reduce the risk  of a fire when cooking at home, keeping themselves and those around them safe.

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires with 49% of all home fires involving cooking equipment and is the leading cause of home fire injuries.

In addition, unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and related deaths.

In the years ranging from 2016 through 2020, fires that occurred in homes resulted in 75% of civilian fire deaths and 74% of the reported injuries were caused by home fires.

During the 2014 to 2018 span NFPA data shows that cooking is the only major cause of fire that resulted in more fires and fire deaths than in 1980 through 1984.

“These numbers tell us that more public awareness is needed around when and where cooking hazards exist, along with ways to prevent them,” Lorraine Carli, vice-president of the Outreach and Advocacy  at NFPA said. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign will work to promote tips, guidelines, and recommendations that can help significantly reduce the risk of having a cooking fire.”

The NFPA issues tips for cooking safety that support this year’s theme including:

• Always keep a close eye  on what you’re cooking.

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

• Create a “kid and pet free zone” of a least three feet around the cooking  area.

“Staying in the kitchen, using a timer and avoid distractions that remove your focus from what’s on the stove are among the key messages for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign,” Carli said.

Other cooking safety tips:

Cook with Caution

• Be alert. If sleepy or having consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.

• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

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

• Keep anything that catches fire, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains, away from the stovetop.

Grease Cooking Fire

• Smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until completely cooled.

• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

When in Doubt Fighting a Small Fire

• Get out and when you leave close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

Electrical Cooking Equipment

Although other electrical cooking equipment such as air fryers, slow cookers, electric skillets, hot plates and griddles are considered safer, they also require safety procedures to practice.

Some of those tips include:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on where and how to use the appliance.

• Remember to unplug all cooking appliances when not in use.

• Check the appliance’s electrical cord regularly for damage. Do not use if any appliance has a damaged cord.

For more information on cooking fire safety log on to the NFPA website at nfpa.org/education, or for other home fire safety tips visit fpw.org or sparky.org.