This week is Fire Prevention Week, which was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire that happened in 1871.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announces a Fire Prevention Week theme each year to identify the country’s most significant fire threats. This years theme is “cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention.” Cooking is the leading cause of home fire and fire injuries, according to the United States Fire Administration.
Columbus Fire Department 2023 incident data shows that 20 percent of Columbus fire incidents were caused by cooking.
The NFPA encourages people to always keep an eye on what they’re cooking, clear the cooking area of combustible items, turn pot handles toward the back of the stove and keep a lid nearby, and create a “kid and pet free zone” of at least 3 feet around the cooking area.
The Columbus Fire Department recommends that every home have working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan.
