GFD reminds residents of kitchen fire dangers, slates open house on Oct. 3

Getting ready for the upcoming open house at the Greencastle Fire Department (GFD) station, 107 S. Indiana St., are (from left) Pam Pierce, reserve firefighter and open house coordinator; Danny Wallace, exalted ruler of the Greencastle Elks Lodge; Brock Beebe and Bob Campbell, firefighters; Kyle App, fire lieutenant; and Brooke Taylor, GFD administrative assistant and open house co-coordinator. The open house is set for 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. The Elks Club is again providing hotdogs, chips and other food for the annual event, while Greencastle Schools are donating cookies and McDonald's is giving the drinks.

It's time for Fire Prevention Week, and from Oct. 6-12 the Greencastle Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents to "Prevent Kitchen Fires."

During this year's fire safety campaign, firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires --most of which result from unattended cooking -- and teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.

The latest NFPA research notes that cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen -- more than anywhere else in the house. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.

"Often when we're called to a fire that started in the kitchen, residents tell us that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes," GFD Fire Prevention Officer Christy Glass said.

"Sadly, that's all it takes for a dangerous fire to start," she added. "We hope that Fire Prevention Week will help us reach folks in the community before they've suffered a damaging lesson."

Among the safety tips firefighters and safety advocates will be emphasizing are:

-- Staying 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 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.

Fire Prevention Week, supported by fire departments across the country, is the longest-running public health and safety observance on record.

In observance of Fire Prevention Week, Greencastle Fire Department officials invite residents of all ages to the 13th annual GFD Open House at the fire station, located at 107 S. Indiana St., from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3.

Visitors can enjoy free food, activities, tour the station and equipment, visit with Patches the Robot, and grab a goody bag for the kids (limited quantity available).

To find out more about the open house or Fire Prevention Week programs in Greencastle, persons may contact GFD at 653-3108.