Kitchen Fire Demonstration

The Fond du Lac Fire Department will be giving a demonstration on kitchen fires in front of Kohl’s at the Forest Mall late this morning. It’s part of the department’s observance of Fire Prevention Week, which starts on Sunday. The public is welcome to observe the demonstration, which starts at 11 a.m. According to the National Fire Protection Association 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. Fire Chief Peter O’Leary says, “Often when we’re called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes.” Among the safety tips that firefighters and safety advocates will be emphasizing during the week:

 •         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.

Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.