HARRISBURG – In an effort to reduce losses from fires caused by cooking,
Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed Oct. 8-14 as Fire Prevention Week
in Pennsylvania. The theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Prevent Cooking
Fires: Watch What You Heat.”

“It is always important to be careful with fire, whether you are outside or
inside,” the Governor said. “It is especially important to pay attention in
the kitchen because cooking fires can quickly get out of control and cause
serious damage.”

During this week, residents, schools, businesses and civic organizations are
encouraged to participate in fire prevention activities that will be focused
on safe cooking and to make sure their homes, workplaces and schools are
equipped with smoke detectors and fire suppression systems.

“Cooking equipment is involved in more than 100,000 home fires each year.
Most of these fires start because people do not pay attention when they
cook,” said State Fire Commissioner Edward A. Mann. “Please stay in the
kitchen and pay attention when cooking. If you must leave the room, turn
off the stove and all cooking appliances.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were 3,675 fire
fatalities and nearly 18,000 fire-related injuries in the United States in
2005. In Pennsylvania, the state Department of Health reported 179 civilian
fire deaths, not including seven firefighters who died in the line of duty.

The Office of the State Fire Commissioner offers these tips for safer
cooking:

Stand by your pan:

· Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling or boiling
food.
· If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off
the stove.
· If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain
in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that the
stove or oven is on.
· Keep in mind that you should avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling
sleeves while cooking. Loose clothing can catch fire if it comes in contact
with a gas flame or electric burner.

No kids allowed:

· Keep kids away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of three
feet (one meter) around the stove.
· If you have young children, use the stove's back burners whenever
possible, and turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk that pots with hot
contents will be knocked over.
· Never hold a small child while cooking.

Keep it clean:

· Keep anything that can catch fire -- pot holders, oven mitts, wooden
utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains away
from your stove top.
· Clean up food and grease from burners and the stovetop.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit the Office of the
State Fire Commissioner Web site at www.osfc.state.pa.us.