Woonsocket Fire Department News
Woonsocket Firefighters Remind Residents to 'Watch What You Heat'
It's time for Fire Prevention Week and from October 8-14 the Woonsocket Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents to 'Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat.' During this year's fire safety campaign, firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers of cooking fires, most of which result from unattended cooking.
According to the latest NFPA research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. One out of three home fires begins in the kitchen—more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.
"Often when we're called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes," said Capt. Thomas Papa. "Sadly, that's all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will help us reach folks in the community before they've suffered a damaging lesson."
Among the safety tips that firefighters and safety advocates will be emphasizing:
· Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.
· If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
· When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.
· If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.
· When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.
· Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stove top.
· Clean up food and grease from burners and stove tops.
Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. This is the 85th year that fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.
Woonsocket Fire Department education team will be holding CPR classes
call 765-2500 ex 128 for info
RHODE ISLAND U.S.A.R. TEAM RETURNING HOME AFTER TWO WEEKS
Woonsocket's own Lt. Steven Bilodeau and Pvt. Michael Zuba did us proud!
