Oct. 4-10 Is Fire Prevention Week
Preventing the Leading Cause of Fires In Las Vegas Is This Year’s Theme
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue will be observing National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4-10 this year as it has in years past, but because of COVID, there will not be any live/contact events. This year’s National Fire Prevention Week theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.”
The theme is appropriate this year because there was an increase in the number cooking fires in the home due to COVID.
The history of National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred Oct. 9, 1871. The fire burned for 27 hours, killed more than 250 people, left more than 100,000 people homeless and destroyed nearly 18,000 buildings. Although the exact cause of the fire has never been determined, one popular legend blames Mrs. Catherine O’Leary’s cow for the blaze after it kicked over a lantern and started a barn on fire. Regardless of how the fire started, it nearly destroyed Chicago. Firefighters and equipment from as far as St. Louis and New York City responded to the blaze.
In 1911, on the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, fire officials from across the country sponsored the first National Fire Prevention Day, advocating an annual observance about fire safety and education. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation. Since 1922, National Fire Prevention Week has been observed Sunday through Saturday of the week of Oct. 9. In addition, the president has proclaimed a National Fire Prevention Week every year since 1925. It is the longest-running public-awareness campaign in the United States.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years - to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue encourages all residents to embrace the 2020 Fire Prevention Week theme. “The most important step you should take before making a meal is to “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” said Jeff Buchanan, Acting Fire Chief for the city of Las Vegas. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”
Here are some safety tips to keep you from having a cooking fire:
- Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
- You have to be alert when cooking. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
- Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
- Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue is hosting a series of virtual events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” You can watch them on the various social media platforms of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue (Twitter & Facebook @LasVegasFD) or the department’s webpage: www.lasvegasfire.org.
NOTE: In previous years Fire Prevention Week consisted of visits to schools, community groups, open houses, demonstrations at various locations and the like in person by firefighters. Because of COVID, all outreach programs are being done virtually. Fire stations are currently closed to visitors and tours as well as personal appearances by firefighters outside the stations is not being conducted at this time.
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