Cooking Fires are the Leading Cause of Home Fires and Home Fire Injuries

During Fire Prevention Week October 8-14, Cambridge Fire Highlights Cooking Safety

The 2023 national fire prevention  theme is “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.”  According to the National Fire Protection Association (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. Cambridge fire companies respond to more than 800 unattended cooking fires per year!

The Cambridge Fire Department urges Cambridge residents and visitors to practice safe cooking habits:

• Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• If you must leave the cooking area, turn off the stove, oven, or appliance until you return.
• 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.
• Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• If you are over-tired, it might be a better idea to order take-out. Don't cook.

As always, ensure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.

For an out-of-control fire, alert others and call 911 right away from a safe area.

For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit www.fpw.org. For fire safety fun for kids, visit sparky.org.