Red Cross Helps Families Keep the Lid on Cooking Fires

TRIAD, October 7, 2009 —Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries in the United States,and the American Red Cross wants to remind families in our communities to be careful in the kitchen and to keep the lid on cooking fires.

“Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in your home, and it’s easy to understand why,” said MoAna Crompton-Dunn, disaster educator of the Northwest North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We’re all so busy these days that in the race to put a home cooked meal on the table, we sometimes let safety take a back seat. But the consequences can be devastating, especially when there are some simple steps you can take to minimize the risk of your family’s next meal from going up in flames.”

The Red Cross recommends the following tips to help you reduce the risk of cooking fires:
** Keep anything that can catch fire -- potholders, food packaging, wooden utensils, towels and curtains -- away from your stovetop.
** Do not leave the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling, or broiling food.
** If you’re simmering, baking, boiling or roasting food, check in regularly and remain at home while food is cooking.
** Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
** Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms. Generally, they should not be closer than 10 feet to a cooking appliance. Use the test button to check it once a month. Batteries should be replaced once a year.

Nationally, the American Red Cross responds to a fire approximately every eight minutes. Last year the NWNC Chapter responded to more than 150 home fires in our community. The Red Cross depends on the generous support of residents to respond to our neighbors who are affected by home fires. You can help people affected
by home fires in your community by making a financial donation to the NWNC Chapter of the American Red Cross today. To donate please visit www.redcross.org, call (336) 245-5750, or mail a check to 690 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.
For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information visit www.redcross.org/homefires or contact your local chapter.
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