For Immediate Release
Contact: Mike Warner
Fire Chief
Red Wing Fire Department
651.388.7141
(October 2, 2023, Red Wing, Minn.) – “Cooking safety starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention.” The Red Wing Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote that message this October.
According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths. As Fire Prevention Month begins and Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14, approaches, the Red Wing Fire Department is encouraging everyone to take steps to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking.
That includes staying in the kitchen while cooking; keeping kids, pets, and items that can catch fire at least 3 feet away from the stove; and going outside to call 911 if a fire does not go out after it is contained – by using a lid on the stovetop or keeping the oven door shut – and the heat is turned off.
“Cooking is a leading cause of fires, including here in Red Wing,” said Fire Chief Mike Warner. “We believe this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is very relevant, and we want to reinforce the message of staying safe while cooking and provide strategies to do that.”
The cooking safety theme will be present at Red Wing Fire Department’s annual open house on Sunday, October 15, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fire Station 1, 420 Plum St. The open house includes a cooking fire demonstration in addition to opportunities to tour the station, view fire trucks and ambulances, and talk to firefighters.
For more information about local fire prevention programs and activities, visit the Red Wing Fire Department webpage at www.red-wing.org/fire or call 651.388.7141. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit www.fpw.org. For fire safety fun for kids, visit www.sparky.org.