Fire Prevention Week 2023 Stresses Cooking Safety

The Chattanooga Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.” The theme works to educate everyone about the simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.

According to the NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths.

“Year after year, cooking accounts for nearly half (49 percent) of all U.S. home fires,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “These numbers tell us that there is still much work to do when it comes to better educating the public about ways to stay safe when cooking.”

The CFD encourages all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme. “A cooking fire can grow quickly,” said Fire Marshal William Matlock. “We have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”

Here are key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire:

1. Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a time to remind you that you are cooking.
2. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
3. Have a kid and pet-free zone of at least three feet around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit http://fpw.org. For fire safety fun for kids, visit http://spark.org.

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