Red Cross: Cooking Main Cause of House Fires

Did you know cooking is the No. 1 cause of home fires in this country and during the holidays? The Red Cross responded to more than 62,960 home fires during the 2011 fiscal year. The American Red Cross wants everyone to be aware of steps they should take to avoid a fire while cooking and has the following tips:

1- Start by not wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.

2- Never leave cooking food unattended; stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.

3- Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.

4- Keep anything that can catch fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.

5- Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.

6- Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen. Contact your local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.

7- Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.

8-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.

Also, in case you are cooking a turkey in a turkey fryer, check out of local firefighters showing how easy it is for the fryer to go up in flames.