October 3, 2006 > Fire Prevention Week

by Amiel Thurston

Fire departments around the country will observe Fire Prevention Week, October 7 to14. 2006 is the 85th year for this observance, making it the longest running public health and safety focus on record.

Fremont Fire Department is joining forces with local businesses, community groups, and the National Fire Protection Association 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-and teaching local residents how to prevent cooking fires from starting in the first place. As part of Fire Prevention Week, Fremont Fire Department will participate in community events and host an open house and tour at each fire station.

According to the latest National Fire Protection Association 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 fire related injuries in the home.

Fremont, alone, suffered 220 home structure fires from September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2006. Nearly forty percent of these were either fires in the kitchen or fires that started in the kitchen and spread to other areas of the house. "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 Fire Chief Bruce Martin. "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."

The Home Depot Safety Fair will kick-off the week on Saturday, October 7. The following Saturday, October 14, there will be a pancake breakfast to benefit the Fremont FD Rehab Unit; Explorer Post #173, which provides internships for students to work within the fire department; and the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, which works to enhance the quality of life for burn survivors and promote burn prevention. After the breakfast, each fire station will host an open house with tours.

Throughout the week, firefighters and safety advocates will emphasize the following safety tips:

- 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 stovetop.

- Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.


Home Depot Safety Fair
Saturday, October 7, 10 a.m - 2 p.m.
43900 Icehouse Terrace (Off Fremont Blvd. near Auto Mall Parkway)
Fremont


Pancake breakfast
Saturday, October 14
9 a.m. -  noon.
Fire Station #9
39609 Stevenson Place, Fremont
Adult donation: $5
Children 10 and under: $3

Fremont Fire Stations
Fire Station #1
39183 State Street

Fire Station #2
37645 2nd Street

Fire Station #3
40700 Chapel Way

Fire Station #4
1000 Pine Street

Fire Station #5
55 Hackamore Lane


Fire Station #6
37412 Fremont Boulevard


Fire Station #7
43600 South Grimmer Boulevard


Fire Station #8
3723 Darwin Drive


Fire Station #9
39609 Stevenson Place


Fire Station #10
5001 Deep Creek Road