The Town of Granby Fire Marshal’s Office and Lost Acres Fire Department have teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to reduce risk of cooking fires. The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.
According to 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.
“Year after year, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for half of all U.S. home fires,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “These numbers tell us that there is still much work to do when it comes to better educating the public about ways to stay safe when cooking.”
The Granby Fire Marshal’s office encourages all residents to embrace the campaign. Cooking safety starts with YOU. A cooking fire can grow quickly, with many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.
Here are some key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire.
• Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• 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 three feet around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
For more cooking safety advice, visit fpw.org For fire safety fun for kids, visit sparky.org
Make sure you have a smoke alarm in every bedroom, in the hall outside of the sleeping areas and on every level of the home. The Granby Fire Marshal’s Office offers free inspection of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for one- and two-family homes. There is no cost or obligation involved. There is a limited supply of replacement smoke alarms available to homeowners. Contact us today at 860-844-5321 or firemarshal@granby-ct.gov