Crime & Safety
Fires Usually Start in Kitchen, Fire Department Warns
'Prevent Kitchen Fires' is Fire Prevention Week theme for borough students, senior groups.
The Madison Fire Department is sharing fire safety tips with borough students and seniors this week as part of Fire Prevention Week, with a focus on preventing the No. 1 cause of fires in homes—cooking.
Cooking is the top cause of fires in homes and fire related injuries in the U.S., followed by heating equipment, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
As part of Fire Prevention Week, fire departments around the country are sharing fire safety messages this week with the theme "Prevent Kitchen Fires," Madison Fire Chief Lou DeRosa said.
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Madison's Fire Prevention Bureau runs a thorough and comprehensive program that reaches out to over 2,500 people in our community, DeRosa said. Students grades K-8 in public and private schools, pre-school and daycare programs as well as senior groups receive a custom program designed to be age appropriate.
DeRosa provided the following tips to prevent kitchen fires:Always stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.
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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, keep children and pets at least three away from the stove.
When cooking at the stove, do not wear clothing with loose fitting sleeves.
Keep all combustible materials (anything that can burn), away from the stovetop.
Always clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops after each use
More fire safety related can be found on the NFPA’s website.
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