October is Fire Prevention Month. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) named the second week of October Fire Prevention Week in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. These days, Fire Prevention Week and Month are focused on raising fire safety awareness for communities across America. The 2020 campaign is called “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.”
Prevent Kitchen Fires
Did you know that cooking is the top cause of home fires and home fire injuries? Unattended cooking is the main cause of fires in the kitchen. Here are some tips for preventing kitchen fires, courtesy of the NFPA:
- Never leave the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food.
- If you do need to leave the kitchen (even for a short time) turn off the stove.
- Keep anything that could catch on fire, such as oven mitts, wooden spoons, and curtains, away from the stovetop.
- Stay alert. Do not use the stove or stovetop if you are sleepy or if you have been drinking alcohol.
- If you are simmering, roasting, or baking food, check it regularly, use a timer to remind you that it is cooking, and stay home while the food is cooking.
If you have a small grease fire and decide to fight it, you can smother the flames on the stovetop by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. If it is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep your oven door closed. If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire, just get out and call 911! Close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
Practice Fire Safety
Seconds can mean the difference between getting away from a fire safely and a tragedy. It’s important to discuss fire safety with your household to make sure that everyone knows where to go and what do in case of an emergency.
Use Fire Prevention Week as a reminder to test your smoke alarms, change batteries if needed, and make sure that your fire extinguisher is ready to use if needed. You should have smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. You should also have smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom.
If you or a loved one has been injured, call our office today to schedule a free consultation. We’re on your side and we will help you get the compensation you deserve to offset the costs associated with a personal injury. John Schuerman is a compassionate advocate for injury victims. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. You can schedule a free consultation today by calling Schuerman Law at 1-800-274-0045.
