Many families gather in the kitchen to spend time together, but it can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house if you don't practice safe cooking behaviors. Cooking equipment, most often a range or stovetop, is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Cooking equipment is also the leading cause of unreported fires and associated injuries.
Safe Cooking Behaviors
It's a recipe for serious injury or even death to wear loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves), walk away from a cooking pot on the stove, or leave flammable materials, such as potholders or paper towels, around the stove. Whether you are cooking the family holiday dinner or a snack for the children, practicing safe cooking behaviors will help keep you and your family safe
Choose the Right Equipment and Use It Properly
Always use cooking equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
Follow manufacturers' instructions and code requirements when installing and operating cooking equipment.
Plug microwave ovens and other cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.
Use Barbecue Grills Safely
Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, and foot traffic.
Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a 3-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill.
Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when cooking food.
Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
Use only outdoors! If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as tents, barbecue grills pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to carbon monoxide.
Charcoal Grills
Purchase the proper starter fluid and store out of reach of children and away from heat sources.
Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited, and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.
Propane Grills
Check the propane cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will reveal escaping propane quickly by releasing bubbles.
If you determined your grill has a gas leak by smell or the soapy bubble test and there is no flame:
Turn off the propane tank and grill.
If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.
All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices (OPD). OPDs shut off the flow of propane before capacity is reached, limiting the potential for release of propane gas if the cylinder heats up. OPDs are easily identified by their triangular-shaped hand wheel.
Use only equipment bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturers' instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.
Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.
Watch What You Heat
The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of 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.
Stay alert! To prevent cooking fires, you have to be alert. You won't be if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.
Keep Things That Can Catch Fire and Heat Sources Apart
Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, or curtains - away from your stovetop.
Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean.
Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.
Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire if it comes into contact with a gas flame or electric burner.
If Your Clothes Catch Fire
If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll. Stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover face with hands. Roll over and over or back and forth to put out the fire. Immediately cool the burn with cool water for 3 to 5 minutes and then seek emergency medical care.
Use Equipment for Intended Purposes Only
Cook only with equipment designed and intended for cooking, and heat your home only with equipment designed and intended for heating. There is additional danger of fire, injury, or death if equipment is used for a purpose for which it was not intended.
Protect Children from Scalds and Burns
Young children are at high risk of being burned by hot food and liquids. Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of 3 feet (1 meter) around the stove.
Keep young children at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from any place where hot food or drink is being prepared or carried. Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges.
When young children are present, use the stove's back burners whenever possible.
Never hold a child while cooking, drinking, or carrying hot foods or liquids.
Teach children that hot things burn.
When children are old enough, teach them to cook safely. Supervise them closely.
Prevent Scalds and Burns
To prevent spills due to overturn of appliances containing hot food or liquids, use the any questions about how to treat it, seek medical attention right away.
Install and Use Microwave Ovens Safely
Place or install the microwave oven at a safe height, within easy reach of all users. The face of the person using the microwave oback burner when possible and/or turn pot handles away from the stove's edge. All appliance cords need to be kept coiled and away from counter edges.
Use oven mitts or potholders when moving hot food from ovens, microwave ovens, or stovetops. Never use wet oven mitts or potholders as they can cause scald burns.
Replace old or worn oven mitts.
Treat a burn right away, putting it in cool water. Cool the burn for 3 to 5 minutes. If the burn is bigger than your fist or if you have ven should always be higher than the front of the microwave oven door. This is to prevent hot food or liquid from spilling onto a user's face or body from above and to prevent the microwave oven itself from falling onto a user.
Never use aluminum foil or metal objects in a microwave oven. They can cause a fire and damage the oven.
Heat food only in containers or dishes that are safe for microwave use.
Open heated food containers slowly away from the face to avoid steam burns. Hot steam escaping from the container or food can cause burns.
Foods heat unevenly in microwave ovens. Stir and test before eating.
How and When to Fight Cooking Fires
When in doubt, just get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
If you do try to fight the fire, be sure others are already getting out and you have a clear path to the exit.
Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby when you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (make sure you are wearing the oven mitt). Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool.
In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing.
If you have a fire in your microwave oven, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. Unplug the appliance if you can safely reach the outlet.
After a fire, both ovens and microwaves should be checked and/or serviced before being used again.
Photo by NJFire.com
Another All Hands Fire in Bellmawr
December 26, 2011-Task Force 32 (Bellmawr Fire Department- District 3, Barrington Fire Co-Quint 91, Runnemede Fire Department-Squad 75,Mount Ephraim Fire Department-Rescue 45, and Gloucester City Squad 51)were dispatched early in the morning to 165 Hall Avenue in Bellmawr, for a reported dwelling fire. A female resident was sleeping in a front room when she was alerted by the sound of a smoke detector beeping. She quickly observed a fire in the kitchen area and exited the house. Squirt 32 arrived and reported fire showing from the rear. Crews made an aggressive attack on the fire, advancing a 1 3/4 line through the front door, while a second back up line cut off the advancing fire in the attic area. The fire was placed under control at the 20 minute mark. The fire is under investigation and no reported injuries.
Barrington Fire Company Receives Federal Grant
Barrington Fire Company received a Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to replace our worn and outdated Personel protection Equipment or PPE. The Grant covers replacement PPE for 25 firefighters and includes Helmets, Gloves, Turnout Coats, Bunker pants, Boots, and personal rescue harnesses. The typical costs to replace all this PPE is about $1500.00 dollars per person.
Exposing an Invisible Killer: The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Each year in America, unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning claims more than 400 lives and sends another 20,000 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA),the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the Barrington Fire Company would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself from deadly carbon monoxide fumes.
Understanding the Risk
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.
Where does carbon monoxide come from?
CO gas can come from several sources: gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnaces or fireplaces and motor vehicles.
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Medical experts believe that unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with heart or lung problems are at even greater risk for CO poisoning.
What Actions Do I Take if My Carbon Monoxide Alarm Goes Off?
What you need to do if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off depends on whether anyone is feeling ill or not.
If no one is feeling ill:
Silence the alarm.
Turn off all appliances and sources of combustion (i.e. furnace and fireplace).
Ventilate the house with fresh air by opening doors and windows.
Call 9-1-1 to investigate the source of the possible CO buildup.
If illness is a factor:
Evacuate all occupants immediately.
Determine how many occupants are ill and determine their symptoms.
Call 9-1-1 and when relaying information to the dispatcher, include the number of people feeling ill.
Do not re-enter the home without the approval of a fire department representative.
Call a qualified professional to repair the source of the CO.
Protect Yourself and Your Family from CO Poisoning
Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Make sure the alarm has been evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present.
Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.
Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.
Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.
When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.
All Hands Dwelling Fire in Bellmawr
December 12, 2011- at approximately 1015pm, Task Force 32 (Bellmawr Fire Department- District 3, Barrington Fire Co-Ladder 91, Runnemede Fire Department-Squad 75, and Mount Ephraim Fire Department-Rescue 45) were dispatched to 47 W. Browning Road for a dwelling fire. Battalion 303 arrived on location with heavy smoke and fire from the 2nd floor, requesting the “all hands” box. This brought Gloucester City Squad 51 as an additional resource. Task Force 32 went to work extinguishing the fire; while 300 (the Incident Commander) requested an additional Engine and Truck to the scene. One civilian was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The fire is being investigated by local and county officials.
Building fire -Haddonfield:
On Tuesday 12/5, at 0345 Hours, Task force 14 (Haddon Fire Company, Haddon Heights Fire Dept, and Cherry Hill Fire Dept Ladder 1324) were dispatched to Warwick Rd and Kings Highway for a building Fire. 1401(Chief Riggs) arriving to find a 3 story converted house, with fire showing from 3rd floor and roof, Chief Riggs ordered the "all hands" box be transmitted. Quint 91, intially dispatched to relocate to Haddon Fire Co, was then special called to the scene to assist. Quint 91's crew, under the command of Assistant Chief Sutch, assisted the companies on scene with salvage and overhaul.
Test All Smoke Alarms (Detectors) and Annually Replace Batteries Develop and Rehearse an Escape Plan
You can prevent tragedies simply by testing and maintaining your smoke alarms and practicing a fire escape plan. All smoke alarms in your house should be tested once a month, and their batteries replaced annually. Every family should develop a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends these measures because working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan will increase your protection in case of a fire.
Every year in the United States, about 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. Most fire victims die from inhalation of smoke and toxic gases, not as a result of burns. Most deaths and injuries occur in fires that happen at night while the victims are asleep.
Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms in the home are considered one of the best and least expensive means of providing an early warning of a potentially deadly fire. Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage by enabling residents to detect fires early in their development. The risk of dying from fires in homes without smoke alarms is twice as high as in homes that have working smoke alarms.
All smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month to make sure they operate properly. If a smoke alarm is battery operated, replace the batteries at least once a year to make sure the alarm will work when it is needed. It’s a good practice to make replacement of batteries a seasonal routine, such as when resetting clocks in the fall or spring. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for testing smoke alarms and replacing the batteries.
If your battery-powered smoke alarm begins to emit a low-power warning, usually a chirping sound, replace the battery immediately with a fresh one. This will ensure that your smoke alarm will continue to provide protection.
