This week is National Fire Prevention Week and the theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”. Cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. The Irving Fire Department has teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association to provide fire safety resources and tips for residents. The Irving Fire Department has created a webpage with fire safety information for educators and parents that has a virtual fire safety house for elementary, middle and high school students to practice and learn about fire prevention. They will post tips on their social media platforms throughout the week. Here are some fire safety tips to practice:
- Don’t leave the room with the stove on
- Turn pot handles to the back so they can’t be bumped by someone walking by
- Always watch what you are cooking
- Clean stovetop burners after use so there is no grease or oil that could catch fire
- Create a 3 foot “kid-free and pet-free zone” around the stove
- Open containers slowly after you remove them from the microwave
- Make sure there is a smoke alarm on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas
- Make sure all smoke alarms are working
- Create a home fire escape plan
- Practice the home fire escape plan
- Follow this guide on how to involve kids in the kitchen safely
- Keep a lid or towel close by to put out a grease fire
- Make sure your fire extinguisher is up to date, confirm the pressure gauge is in the operable range and inspect for any visible damage
- Check the batteries in your smoke detector in coordination with Daylight Savings, which is November 1st this year
The Las Colinas Association’s alarm service offers a 24/7 monitored UL listed alarm center, including monitoring for burglary, fire, smoke or heat and carbon monoxide detectors at no additional monthly monitoring charge as part of your assessment benefit. Most residential burglary alarm systems can be updated to include monitored smoke and heat detectors. Learn more about LCA’s monitoring here, including offerings that don’t require a phone line such as the mesh radio device which can be added to most alarm systems. The LCA is also a member of the National Fire Prevention Association.
For more fire prevention tips and safety resources visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website.
