KIRKLAND ENTERS HOUSEHOLD FIRE SEASON

COOKING AND HOT ASHES START MOST FIRES

What: Kirkland Fire Department data covering the last 5 years, identify cooking as the primary cause of fires the Department responds to and hot ashes as the next most frequent cause.

Nationally, cooking accounts for the majority of unintentional fires and smoking material accounts for the second highest category.

[In Kirkland, smoking-related fires are statistically tied with intentionally-set fires, for a distant third place.]

When: Most of Kirkland’s cooking and hot ash fires occur in November and December. This means we have entered our most active fire period.

Rationale: November and December encompass the holiday season, when people are generally busier, as well as more distracted and more stressed than at other times of the year. During the holiday season people tend to host more parties, cook more meals, cook larger amounts of food, and use more cooking grease than usual. Those with fireplaces or wood burning stoves often make greater use of them at this time.

Messages: Take these steps to safeguard your home and family:

In the kitchen:

1. Stay in the kitchen while using the stove.

2. Use minimal amounts of grease, oil and butter when cooking

3. Leave room in pans for liquids to boil without going over the sides

4. Keep pot lids at the ready to smother any pan fires

5. Keep paper and cloth away from the stove

For fireplaces and wood burning stoves:

1. Have fireplace chimneys and woodstove pipes inspected annually

2. Use sturdy log holders and build solid log structures in fireplaces

3. Avoid overbuilding fires and letting flames reach beyond screens

4. Always keep screens and stove doors shut in front of burning fires

5. Keep fireproof rugs in front of fireplaces and wood stoves

6. Spread ashes out after fires and let them completely cool overnight

7. Always dispose of ashes in metal containers.

8. Keep metal ash containers outside and away from the house/building

In general, keep a fire extinguisher:

On each level of your home.

In every room with a stove, fireplace or other ignition source.

Across the room, rather than by, the cooking/heating equipment.

Always, have a smoke detector:

Installed in a common area (like a hall) on every level of the home

Installed in every bedroom

In working order. Test it monthly to make sure it works properly.

Help us eliminate fires set by unsafe cooking practices and careless handling of hot ashes. Follow the above directions and enjoy safe holidays!

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