October 12, 2023 (RELEASE) —

It’s Fire Prevention Week and the theme this year, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention,” is about preventing cooking fires and related injuries. Cooking is a leading cause of home fires in Wyoming. The State Fire Marshal recommends these tips to prevent cooking fires and injuries: 

• Stand by Your Pan. When cooking with grease and fat, stay by the stove and turn off the burner if you need to leave the kitchen. For all other cooking, stay in the building and use a timer to remind you to check on your cooking.
• Stop the Fire. Install heat-limiting technology cooktops that prevent fires even if you forget to turn off the stove.
• Smother and Cool. If there is a fire, put a lid or cookie sheet over the pan and turn off the heat. Fire extinguishers work great too. Be sure to use oven mitts that cover your hands and wrists to prevent burns.
• Leave. An excellent response to fire is to leave the building, close the door, and call 9-1-1. Even better, install home fire sprinklers and let them take care of everything. 

This weekend the Sheridan Fire-Rescue Department responded to a cooking fire in an apartment. The department’s quick response mitigated the occupant’s unfortunate injuries sustained while following his natural inclination to put the fire out himself. “We wish him a swift and full recovery,” said Director Mathews, Wyoming State Fire Marshal. 

Fire Prevention Week is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and runs October 8 – 14, 2023. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and its history, please visit www.fpw.org.