Cooking, prevention and you

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vance Vansteel
  • 60th Civil Engineer Squadron fire prevention office
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  According to the Home Fires involving Cooking report from the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 146,400 home structure fires in the United States in 2005 involved cooking. Cooking fires accounted for 40 percent of the home structure fires in 2005, including 480 deaths, 4,690 injuries and $876 million in direct property damage.

According to the prevention office, these fires and injuries can be prevented with a little extra care, attention to detail, and education.

Home cooking fires generally peak between 5 and 7 p.m., and occur most often during the holidays with more instances of fires on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year.
Below are some safety tips to remember when cooking inside:

-- Stay in the kitchen when cooking. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

-- Check food regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you're cooking. Never rush!

-- Be alert! Don't cook if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.

-- Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, boxes, food packaging, towels or curtains - away from your stovetop.

-- Keep the stovetop, burners and oven clean.

-- Keep pets out of kitchen when cooking.

-- Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and can catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas flame or electric burner.
Safety tips when cooking outside:

-- Place cooking appliances 25 feet from facilities, at least 50 feet from a flammable storage area, and in housing a minimum of 10 feet.

-- Have a hose, bucket of water, or a proper fire extinguisher within reach.

-- Only use lighter fluid to start barbecues. Never use gasoline or petroleum products.

-- Check all valves, hoses and cylinders before using propane grills. Always adhere to manufacture's specifications and proper usages.

-- Never wear loose fitting clothing.

-- Keep pets and children away from cooking area at all times.

-- Never let briquettes cool naturally, add water to extinguish. Charcoal can stay at ignition temperatures for up to 5 days before heat source is completely gone.

In addition, for base organizations planning upcoming events, notify the Fire Prevention office prior to any major social event when temporary decorations, large attendance or unusual arrangements are involved. The fire department will provide guidance to ensure appropriate fire safety measures are taken.

While cooking is fun, a great time for celebration, with friends and family or just to relax and enjoy a good meal; it also can be dangerous and deadly. Take caution when cooking. When in doubt, all questions can be directed to the Travis Fire Prevention office at 424-3683.