National Fire Prevention Week set for this week
Local fire department’s annual events canceled due to COVID-19
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Fire departments across the country will participate in National Fire Prevention Week which runs from Oct. 4-10.
The national theme for prevention week this year is "Serve up Fire Safety in the Kitchen." The campaign's initiative is to educate people about the important actions they can take to keep themselves safe of injury in the kitchen.
Cumberland Trail Fire District Lt. Curtis Kyer said each year there is a different focused initiative. Fire safety in the kitchen is an important topic especially with more people remaining in their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, one in five home fires begin in the kitchen.
Kyer said there are numerous safety tips that residents should be aware of including proper placement of a fire extinguisher, never put water on a grease fire, and never leave cooking unattended.
"When it comes to fire safety in the kitchen it's important to have a working extinguisher and it's important to have it accessible," he said.
Kyer said the best place to house an extinguisher in the home is near an exit, he said.
"Generally most people tend to keep them underneath their sink. … The best place to store it is near an exit so it's more accessible," he said.
Kyer said never put water on a grease fire. Instead try to place a lid or cover on the fire, or remove it completely from the stove.
"Water doesn't necessarily put out the grease fire. If you were to pour a cup of water onto a grease fire what it does is spreads the grease and can flame up on you," he said. "The best thing to do is to cover it up or remove it from the stove completely, if you can.
Finally, Kyer said he wants to remind residents to always stay focused on what you are cooking, never leave it unattended.
"You should never be cooking and leave it unattended. Someone should have eyes on it at all times," he said.
Bethesda Fire Chief Neil Hunt said he also recommends families have a fire extinguisher nearby in the kitchen area in case of a fire emergency.
"Always keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen, that's something big," he said.
Additionally, Hunt said residents should always check their smoke detectors to make sure they are in proper working condition and he recommends every household have a fire safety plan.
"One of the biggest things a homeowner should check is to check and make sure their smoke detectors are in proper working order, check the batteries in the device. Another important thing is to have fire safety drills with your family so everyone knows how to get out of the house in case of an emergency and where to go," he said.
Hunt said having a fire safety plan ensures everyone in the household has an exit strategy and has a safe area to meet outside of the home if an emergency situation were to occur. This also ensures that everyone in the household can remain accounted for, he said.
Typically many of the local fire departments hold various events for the community during the prevention week in order to educate residents on fire prevention, however, due to the pandemic, many of these events are cancelled this year.
Kyer said he has been with the Cumberland Trail Fire District for 23 years, 11 of which he has provided the local students, preschool through second grades, with fire safety training during Fire Prevention Week.
"I've been here for 23 years and this is the first year, to my knowledge, that I've ever known us to not do anything for Fire Prevention Week," he said.
The St. Clairsville fire department usually attends six local schools, bringing along their fire trucks, to educate young students on the importance of fire safety during the national prevention week.
In the past, the department also provided public tours through the fire house during the week of prevention.
Unfortunately, due to the virus, the events have been cancelled. Kyer said he plans to resume the events next year.