November 22, 2019 3:30 a.m.
State Fire Marshal Jim Walker wants to remind Oregonians to add fire safety to their cooking and holiday meal plans.
A release from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office said by following basic fire-prevention tips, residents can keep themselves and loved ones safe and avoid cooking-related fires.
In Oregon, cooking was the leading known cause of residential structure fires between 2013 and 2017, causing 19 percent of Oregon’s total residential structure fires, according to state fire agency data submitted to the National Fire Incident Reporting System.
The release said on average, there are 533 cooking-caused residential structure fires in Oregon per year. Statewide, the range or stove was the most frequently reported equipment involved in cooking fires. Of these, 73 percent were from an electric-powered range or stove. The release said there were 10 deaths in Oregon from residential cooking fires during the past five years, or an average of two deaths per year.
Cooking Safety Tips include:
*Don’t leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended.
*While the turkey is cooking, check on it frequently.
*Use a timer to monitor cooking times when simmering, baking, or roasting foods that require long cooking times.
*Keep items that could catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers and towels, at least three feet from the cooking area.
*Roll up shirt sleeves and avoid using clothing that may come in contact with open flames or other heat sources.
*People shouldn’t cook if they are drinking alcohol or using other substances that make them drowsy.
*Keep children three feet or more away from all cooking areas.
*Keep pot and pan handles turned inward on the stove to avoid bumping them.
*Heat cooking oil slowly and never leave it unattended
Walker said people should have smoke alarms on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area, and in every bedroom.