Published on October 01, 2020
The Wheeling Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Prevention invites the public to take part in National Fire Prevention Week – set for October 4-10, 2020.
This year’s national theme is “Serve up Fire Safety in the Kitchen” and is centered around cooking safety. The campaign works to educate people about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves safe of injury in the kitchen.
“More people are staying in and cooking from home more because of the on-going pandemic. This year’s theme is a perfect opportunity to focus on the kitchen and the fire hazards that exist with cooking,” said Assistant Wheeling Fire Chief Deric Jamison. “Unattended cooking and not paying attention to what’s happening on the stove is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen.”
One in five home fires start in the kitchen. WFD wants to remind the public of three key safety measures to take if you experience a kitchen fire.
- “Put a lid on it” if you have a fire on the stove.
- Keep cooking areas clear of clutter
- Stay focused on what your cooking
Additionally, burns are very common in the kitchen. Always use oven mitts when handling hot food on the stove or in the oven.
National Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the “Great Chicago Fire” of Oct. 8-10, 1871, which killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres.
Due to COVID-19, the fire department will not be conducting any tours of its fire safety house or hold open houses at its fire stations as in year’s past. However, informational public meet and greets at the Mount deChantal Kroger and the Elm Grove Reisbeck’s will take place this week with outdoor socially distanced measurements in place.
WFD also reminds everyone to change the batteries in their smoke alarms twice a year – most notably when we change the clocks for “Fall Back” and “Spring Forward.” Fall Back 2020 is 2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 1.
