Published: October 10, 2006 12:34 am      

Fire Prevention Week preview

The Edmond Fire Department is joining forces with the American Red Cross and the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign “Preventing Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat.”

During this year’s campaign, firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers of cooking fires — most of which result from unattended cooking — and teaching local residents how to prevent cooking fires from starting in the first place.

“Often when we’re called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes,” said Tim Wheeler, Edmond Chief of Prevention.

“Sadly, that’s all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will help us reach folks in the community before they’ve suffered a damaging lesson.”

According to the latest NFPA research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. One out of three home fires begins in the kitchen — more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires also are the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.

“Ever year in central Oklahoma, home fires are the single most common disaster threat,” said Vince Hernandez, executive director of the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma. “In fact, the Central Oklahoma chapter responded to more than 327 home fires last year and provided those families with immediate emergency assistance.”

The Red Cross encourages families to pay particular attention to developing and regularly practicing escape plans for children and the elderly because of their increased risk of injury or death from fire.

“Preparing for a home fire doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment or training, and Fire Prevention Week is a great time for families to plan for a potential fire,” Hernandez said.

“In addition to smoke alarms, one of the easiest ways you can prepare is to develop and practice a home fire escape plan so that every family member can escape quickly and safely.”

To encourage children to learn about the dangers of a cooking fire, the Edmond Fire Department had a Fire Prevention poster contest. The winners were announced during an award ceremony Monday afternoon at the Fire Administration office, 5300 E. Covell.

The nine winners were from the second, third and fourth grade Edmond elementary contestants.

The winners and their schools include: Second grade, first place, Neil Ash of Northern Hills; second place, Kelsie Hedges of Northern Hills; and third place, Katie Cheap of Northern Hills. Third grade: first place, Cara Rich of Northern Hills; second place, Rachel Calambas of Northern Hills and third place, Rachel Funderburk of Northern Hills. Fourth grade winners were: first place Emily Kelting of Clegern; second place, Katelyn Robnett of Northern Hills and third place, Becky Huang of Northern Nills.



Tips for preventing cooking fires:

- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.

- If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

- If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible.

- When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.

- Keep anything that can burn, away from your stovetop.

- Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.