Crime & Safety

Fire Prevention Week Kicks Off in the Kitchen

More fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home.

Written by Liz Taurasi

Fire departments across the country are joining forces this week with the National Fire Protection Association to remind residents to “Prevent Kitchen Fires.”

Oct. 6-12 is National Fire Prevention week, and this year's message is focused on preventing kitchen fires. More fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home and teaching residents how to keep cooking fires from starting in the first place, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

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The kitchen is the leading area of origin for home fires and most kitchen fires are caused by cooking. On average, there are roughly 3,000 reported kitchen fires per day in the United States.

The Fire Prevention Week website is chock-full of information and resources. The site includes everything from fire safety tip sheets, to statistics, to a family safety checklist and more.

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The NFPA offers these fire safety tips:

  • Be alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.

  • Keep an eye on what you fry! Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

  • If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. 

  • Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stovetop.

  • Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

  • Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country and is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.


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