The East Brandywine Fire Company is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years —to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

“We know cooking fires can be prevented,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice-president of outreach and advocacy. “Staying in the kitchen, using a timer, and avoiding distractions such as electronics or TV are steps everyone can take to keep families safe in their homes.”

Over the past few weeks, several volunteers from East Brandywine have been making videos to share with the community about fire safety, especially in the kitchen. Due to COVID-19, we are unable to go to schools this year or have our annual Open House. So this is our way of getting the message out to the community. Each Friday in October starting with October 9th the Company will be releasing a video about fire safety. Episode #1which gives you a tour of the firehouse and some of our equipment is currently live on our YouTube and will be linked here as well.

Episode #2 is done and ready to go and will be released on October 16th. Each video is being sent to all of the schools in our local as well for the teachers to share with the children. This week's episode features a special friend of the Fire Company and is all about safety in the kitchen. So make sure you subscribe to our YouTube Channel and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see the episode when it goes live.

In the meantime please take a look at the tips below to keep you from having a cooking fire.

• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

• You have to be alert when cooking. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.

• Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.

• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Make sure you check out the NFPA website also at www.nfpa.org for more fire prevention tips and games for the kids to play.