MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Cooking safety demonstration
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Springfield Fire Department Station 8, 1405 S. Scenic.
The Springfield Fire Department will hold this safety demonstration to show how to properly extinguish a cooking-related fire.
People in the United States are most likely to experience a fire in their home than anywhere else. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in Springfield, as well as nationally. Top cooking fire types in Springfield include grease fires, unattended cooking, stovetop fires without grease, improper use of cooking materials, appliance malfunction, oven and microwave fires.
Most cooking fires are preventable. Here are some tips to keep you safe in the kitchen:
- Keep a 3-foot (1 meter) "kid-free" zone around the cooking area. It’s best to keep children out of the kitchen while hot food is being prepared. Use the stove’s back burners to ensure hot pots and pans are out of reach for young children.
- Keep a fire extinguisher accessible in your kitchen. Make sure it is not expired. If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire, get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 911 once you are out safely.
- Be alert! If you are sleepy or consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short time – turn off the stove!
- Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge.
- Never throw water on a grease fire. Smother flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner.
- Appliance cords should be coiled and kept away from counter edges.
- When cooking, wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves.
- Use dry oven mitts or potholders when removing hot food from ovens, microwaves, or stovetops. Replace old or worn oven mitts frequently to prevent burns.
- Don’t place hot foods or liquids near the edge of a table or countertop.
- Be mindful that even foods cooked in the microwave present a risk of burns. Open microwaved food slowly, and hold it away from your face. This will reduce your risk of being burned by hot steam escaping from a container.
- Microwave ovens unevenly distribute heat. Never warm a baby bottle in a microwave oven. Doing so may result in the heated liquid scalding your baby’s mouth or throat.
- For oven or microwave fires, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
If you are burned:
Burns require immediate attention. First, put the affected area in cool water for three to five minutes. Then, cover with a clean, dry cloth. If you have questions about caring for the injury, seek medical attention right away.
The Fire Department provides free smoke alarms to Springfield residents. Contact the Fire Department at 417-874-2300 or [email protected] to request one.
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Media inquiries are directed to the Springfield Fire Department media line at 417-874-2301.