Release:

Valdosta Fire Department Provides Residents with Cooking Safety Tips to Help Prevent Kitchen Fires

Due to the recent rise in kitchen fires throughout the Valdosta area, the Valdosta Fire Department is sharing some cooking safety tips in hopes of alleviating this issue. In December, there were a total of four cooking fires reported. VFD Fire Life Safety Educator Sherina Ferrell hopes that educating the public on proper cooking etiquette can significantly reduce the number of cooking-related incidents.

“Fire Safety in the kitchen is so important for residents to consider because we spend the majority of our time inside of our homes. COVID has increased the time we spend at home with children doing virtual learning and adults working from home. We get so caught up doing multiple things, and we forget that we are busy. Fires can occur quickly. We need to think about safety precautions at all times because we never know when it may happen,” said Ferrell.

Be sure to review the tips provided by VFD below to help keep you and your loved ones safe. 

• 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 vigilant if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you tired.

• 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. Please 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 that your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Be sure to check these items’ function at least twice annually or every time daylight savings occurs.

• Make sure your home is equipped with a working fire extinguisher. Check the function of your fire extinguisher at least once a year. 

• Always have an evacuation plan in place. Be sure to designate a meeting place after the evacuation and practice this plan as a family monthly. 

• To report a fire, please call 911. 

For more information on fire safety, please contact Valdosta Fire Department’s Fire Life Safety Educator Sherina Ferrell, at 229-333-1835 or sferrell@valdostacity.com.