FIRE PREVENTION WEEK 2006

Fire Prevention in the Kitchen

It comes around every year. Since 1920, when President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed it, Americans observe National Fire Prevention Day on Oct. 9. Since 1922, the week that includes Oct. 9, Sunday through Saturday, has been observed as Fire Prevention Week.

The Fire Prevention Week observance was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire that began on October 8, but continued into, and did most of its damage on, October 9, 1871. The fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. According to popular legend, the fire broke out after a cow belonging to a Mrs. Catherine O'Leary, kicked over a lamp and started a fire that spread from the barn to the whole city.

Fire Prevention Week 2006, sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and running from October 8 through 14, will concentrate on preventing fires that start in the kitchen. “Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat” is the theme for this year’s event.

A majority of reported home fires, three in ten, start in the kitchen, more than in any other room or area in the home. Kitchen fire prevention is just as important in cafeterias and restaurants. Here are a few basic tips from the NFPA for preventing cooking fires: