THE GORGE — The two most common days for cooking fires in the United States are Thanksgiving and the day before. Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States. The American Red Cross, Cascades Region, offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family’s Thanksgiving feast.
“Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths,” said Jonathan Seibert, Red Cross regional disaster officer. “Most happen because people leave cooking food unattended. We want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable holiday, so please don’t leave the kitchen while you’re cooking.”
Follow these safety tips and visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your family.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food.
• Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your local Red Cross for more information.
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