Cooking brings family and friends together. With the holiday season around the corner, you may find yourself spending more time in the kitchen cooking for family gatherings and holiday parties. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. Follow these fire-safe tips to prevent cooking fires and keep your family and friends safe this holiday season.

Check yourself and your surroundings.
• Never wear loose or baggy clothing while cooking. If you have long hair, be sure to tie it back.
• Keep objects that can catch fire away from your stovetop.
• Make sure sharp objects and containers with hot liquids are away from the edge of the counter.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

Be alert while cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you 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 you are cooking.

Have a Kid-Free Zone.
• When cooking with kids in the home, have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Working smoke alarms save lives.
• Most importantly, remember to test and check your smoke alarms. Replace any smoke alarm that is 10 years old.

Safety tips brought to you by Wellington Fire Protection District.

Wellington Fire Protection District
8130 3RD ST., P.O. BOX 10, WELLINGTON, CO 80549
Phone: (970) 568-3232 Website: http://www.WFPD.org