WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (October 4, 2020) – The West Palm Beach Fire Department (WPBFD) is promoting this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” The campaign, launched by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), aims to educate everyone about  simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. 

According to NFPW, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

“The most important step you should take before making a meal is to ‘Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen,’” said West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Chief Diana Matty. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”

The West Palm Beach Fire Departments is sharing these safety tips to help you prevent cooking fires:

• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• You have to be alert when cooking. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
• Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

The WPBFD works to reduce the level of risk to life, property and the environment through technology of fire suppression, emergency response, emergency medical transportation, fire inspection, public education, and community outreach. The 249 employees of WPBFD respond to more than 27,000 calls for service each year. The department operates out of nine stations covering a more than 55 square mile area. For more information about WPBFD, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/government/fire-department.

To call the WPBFD, please dial: (561) 804-4700. In the event of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking fire prevention, visit www.fpw.org.