Today is the first day of Fire Prevention week. The Manitowoc Fire Rescue Department is teaming up with the National Fire Prevention Association for this year’s campaign, entitled “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen”.
We spoke with Fire Chief Todd Blaser, who gave us some kitchen fire statistics. He said that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires, and fire related injuries in the US, with about half of all home fires originating in the kitchen. Ion top of that 2/3rd of those fires are started by the ignition of either food or cooking materials. Blaser advised that when you are cooking to “Stay in the kitchen.” Always keep an eye on any food items that are cooking in anyway and check on items that take a longer time in the oven. He also stressed the importance of not leaving the home if an item is going to take a long time in the oven. Blaser also stressed the importance of keeping your kitchen clean, as a grease covered stove top is inducive to starting a fire. If a fire were to start in a pan, Blaser says it’s important to always have a lid nearby, and simply put the lid on the pot or pan and take it off the burner. “A mistake most people make is they will grab for that pan right away and bring it over to the sink,” Blaser explained. “That’s when more injuries and greater damage can occur.”
Another mistake people make in the case of a grease fir is pouring water on it. Basler says that will likely cause the grease to splatter and spread the fire to other surfaces.
