NFPA Announces Theme of Fire Prevention Week 2013: Prevent Kitchen Fires
April 29, 2013
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced the 2013 Fire Prevention Week theme: “Prevent Kitchen Fires.” NFPA selected this theme to encourage greater care when cooking and an awareness of kitchen fire dangers. As cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries, NFPA will use the week of October 6-12 to promote safe kitchen habits with stoves, microwaves, and other appliances. Remaining attentive while cooking and managing how close children and pets are to anything hot will help keep families safe.
“On average, firefighters respond to more than 400 kitchen fires every day” says Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Communications for NFPA. “By making kitchen fire safety the theme for 2013 Fire Prevention Week, we can raise the awareness of the leading cause of fires, unattended cooking, and provide life saving safety tips to improve the safety of everyone in the home.”
The 2013 Fire Prevention Week campaign materials prominently feature Sparky the Fire Dog®, NFPA’s mascot. Sparky’s Wish List is an online registry where fire departments request much needed educational materials and individuals or businesses purchase items for them. Nearly 700 fire departments have registered.
NFPA is providing important kitchen safety tips to homeowners that align with the Fire Prevention Week theme:
- When you fry, grill, or broil food, stay in the kitchen.
- Maintain a kid- and pet-free zone at least 3 feet away from the stove.
- Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge.
- Keep a lid and oven mitt nearby when you’re cooking to use in case of a grease fire. If you have a grease fire, slide a lid over the pan. Turn off the burner and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more information and safety tips. View a video of Sparky the Fire Dog® and Ken Willette, NFPA’s Division Manager of Public Fire Protection, announce the theme for Fire Prevention Week 2013.
