San Angelo Fire Department Promotes Fire Prevention Week

SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo Fire Department Office of Fire Prevention is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” The campaign works to educate citizens about the simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen.

Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials. The Fire Prevention office shared safety tips to prevent a cooking 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, then 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, then 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 three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Due to COVID-19, Sparky will not be able to visit area schools this year, but please visit the City of San Angelo’s Fire Prevention webpage to access resources and activities in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”