Fire Prevention Week

This is Fire Prevention Week and Oconee County Emergency Services is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association to remind residents to ‘Prevent Kitchen Fires.’ During this year’s fire safety campaign, fire departments will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires, most of which result from unattended cooking, and teaching residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.  According to the latest research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen, which is more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries. In 2012, Oconee County responded to 212 structure fires. These fires caused more than $5 million in property damage and the death of five members of the community. Less than 10% of these homes had a working smoke detector. A device that could have saved their life. Oconee County is committed to ensuring every home has a working smoke detector in it. To have a smoke detector installed in your home, or to simply stop by and pick one up, call 864-638-4220. “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 Shane Gibbs, Fire Marshal. “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.” Among the safety tips that firefighters and safety advocates will be emphasizing this week are 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.  When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you. If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.  When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves. Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop.  Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.  Oconee County Fire Departments will be visiting schools, churches and civic functions throughout the month of October to spread the message of safety.