Monday June 23, 2014

At 09:09 Potsdam firefighters were alerted by Sonitrol of a fire alarm activation 3 Debra Drive, Lawrence Ave Apartments. Engine 49 responded and arrived at 09:12. Engine 49 driver spoke with maintenance and was informed the alarm was the result of burnt food in apartment 127. A fan was placed in the window to ventilate the smoke filled apartment. Further investigation revealed how close this was to being a kitchen fire. The occupant of the apartment had been gone for only a few minutes before the buildings fire alarm system activated. Upon returning to his apartment he found it filled with smoke. The wall and range hood were both burnt from the heat. The heat was enough to melt the heat detector located on the kitchen ceiling.

The following are Cooking Safety Tips Courtesy of NFPA.
More information can be found on their website: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/causes/cooking/cooking-safety-tips

Or clicking on the attached Fire Safety Files below.

COOKING SAFETY TIPS

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. It’s important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.

• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of 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 are cooking.

• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire:

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.

• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.

• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

• For an oven fire turn off the heat and keep the door closed.