Fire Prevention Week Emphasizes Cooking and Heating Safety
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NORTHEAST OREGON — As colder weather settles in, the Baker County Interagency Fire Prevention Team, City of La Grande Fire Department, La Grande Rural Fire Protection District, and Elkhorn Media Group join forces to mark National Fire Prevention Week (October 8-14). While this year’s focus is on cooking safety, they underscore the importance of staying safe while keeping warm.
If you’re using a furnace, fireplace, woodstove, or portable heater to heat your home, maintain a three-foot safety distance from anything that can burn. Never resort to using your oven for heating purposes. It’s crucial to have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by qualified professionals. When using extension cords, avoid overloading them and refrain from daisy-chaining multiple power strips together.
Additionally, always test your smoke alarms regularly to ensure they are in proper working order.
Dawn Johnson, Regional Communications Manager of the American Red Cross Cascades Region, highlights that cooking is the leading cause of home fires. To promote kitchen safety, the Red Cross offers these 10 crucial steps:
- Never leave frying, grilling, or broiling food unattended.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking.
- Regularly check food being simmered, baked, roasted, or broiled.
- Use a timer to remind yourself of active stoves or ovens.
- Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from the cooking area.
- Prevent fire hazards by keeping flammable items away from heat sources.
- Maintain clean cooking surfaces to prevent grease buildup.
- Consider keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and seek proper training.
- Check the kitchen before leaving or going to bed to ensure all appliances are off.
- Install smoke alarms strategically throughout your home and test them monthly.
This safety message is a collaborative effort by the Baker County Interagency Fire Prevention Team, City of La Grande Fire Department, La Grande Rural Fire Protection District, and Elkhorn Media Group, as well as the American Red Cross Cascades Region.
Stay vigilant and prioritize fire safety during this Fire Prevention Week.
