Camden County Fire Rescue (CCFR) is joining the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to celebrate Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14, 2023. This year’s theme is, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire preventionTM.” The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“All Camden County households need to be aware of the dangers kitchen fires can cause,” said Camden County Fire Rescue Chief Terry Smith. “Cooking fires can grow quickly. Take steps to prevent damage and injury by cooking safely.”
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. Camden County Fire Rescue wants to share these key safety tips to 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 3 feet around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
“Year after year, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for half (49 percent) 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.”
More information will be available on the Camden County Fire Rescue Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the month. If your group or organization would like to learn more about possible presentations, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at 912-729-3911. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and learning the sounds of fire safety, visit www.fpw.org.
From Left: County Administrator Shawn Boatright, Commissioner Trevor Readdick, Vice-Chair Lannie Brant, Fire Safety Specialist Lt. Chris Goebel, Chairman Ben Casey, Chief Terry Smith, Commissioner Martin Turner, and Commissioner Jim Goodman