The Arcata Fire District is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14, 2023. This year’s theme is  “Cooking Safety Starts With YOU”,  works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from fires in the home due to cooking.  

According to NFPA, up to 44% of home fires start in the kitchen as cooking fires. Most of those fires were due to items on the stovetop being left unattended by the person cooking. 

It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different. Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them!

Key home cooking safety tips:

• Make sure never to leave the stove unattended when you are cooking. 
• Smoke alarms should be installed 20ft. from the stove in your kitchen. 
• Make sure pot and pan lids are turned so that they are not hanging over the edge of the stove. 
• Do not keep combustible items near the stove (paper towels, cloth towels, etc.)
• Clean your stove/range top often so that grease does not build up. 

 Check out this infographic for more safety tips: