This week is Fire Prevention Week and the Cheyenne Fire and Rescue is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents to “Prevent Kitchen Fires.”

During this year's fire safety campaign, firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires - most of which result from unattended cooking - and teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.

According to the latest NFPA research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen - more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.

Cheyenne Fire and Rescue spokesman Byron Mathews says it doesn't take very long for a kitchen fire to start. He says the firefighters and safety advocates are emphasizing the following safety tips:

· Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.

· If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

· When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.

· If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three away from the stove.

· When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.

· Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop.

· Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, call Cheyenne Fire & Rescue at 637-6311.

 

 

 

 

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