Greenville SC Fire Prevention Week Campaign Highlights Kitchen Safety Awareness

The Greenville City Fire Department together with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) teams up to raise awareness of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign from October 4-10.

This year’s theme is “Serving Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen”. The campaign aims to teach people how to cook safely at home. 

NFPA says the majority of a home fire and fire-related injuries in the United States are due to kitchen fires. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

The Greenville City Fire Department encourages all residents to embrace the 2020 Fire Prevention Week theme.

GCFD wants to share these safety tips to avoid kitchen fire.

• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• You have to be alert when cooking. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
• Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Visit www.fpw.org to know more about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s campaign.