![\"Tennessee](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/Tennessee-State-Fire-Marshal-200x184.jpg\" "\\"Tennessee")
Nashville, TN<\/strong> – The State Fire Marshal\u2019s Office is urging cooks across Tennessee to practice good safety habits in the kitchen during the hectic holiday season.<\/p>\nUnattended cooking ranks as the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home-fire injuries and can take a devastating toll. During 2009-2013, Tennessee fire departments reported 9,847 residential structure fires involving cooking equipment. These fires resulted in 33 civilian deaths, 249 civilian injuries, and $37.6 million in direct property damage.The risks of home fires only increase as shopping, event planning, and meal preparation increase during the holidays.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs everyone gets busier, we often become rushed, distracted or tired,\u201d said Gary West, deputy commissioner of the Fire Prevention Division, Department of Commerce and Insurance. \u201cHome fires are more likely to occur, especially those in the kitchen, when people are tired or distracted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fortunately, added awareness and following some simple rules of thumb can help the season remain festive and safe for everyone.<\/p>\n
Most cooking fires involve the stovetop, so keep anything that can catch fire away from it. Turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen, even if it\u2019s for a short period of time. And if you\u2019re simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you\u2019re cooking.<\/p>\n
The State Fire Marshal\u2019s Office also suggests creating a \u201ckid-free zone\u201d of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.<\/p>\n
Keep these safety tips in mind as you prepare your holiday meal this season:<\/h4>\n\n- Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don\u2019t use the stove or stovetop.<\/li>\n
- Keep anything that can catch fire \u2013 oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains \u2013 away from your stovetop.<\/li>\n
- Stay in the kitchen while you\u2019re frying, grilling or broiling food. Turn off the stovetop when you leave the kitchen, even if it\u2019s for a short period of time.<\/li>\n
- If you\u2019re simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you\u2019re cooking.<\/li>\n
- Create a \u201ckid-free zone\u201d of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.<\/li>\n
- If you have a cooking fire, just get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately.<\/li>\n
- If you do try to fight the fire with an extinguisher, be sure others are getting out and that you have access to an exit.<\/li>\n
- Keep a lid nearby when you\u2019re cooking to smother small grease fires. Slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
As always, be sure to have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home. Test them monthly and keep them equipped with fresh batteries at all times.<\/p>\n
[320left]Plan and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated outside meeting place.<\/p>\n
The State Fire Marshal\u2019s Office has distributed more than 68,000 smoke alarms throughout the state in two years\u2019 time through our \u201cGet Alarmed Tennessee\u201d program. So far, that has resulted in 71 lives being saved.<\/p>\n
As always, be sure to have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home. Test them monthly and keep them equipped with fresh batteries at all times.<\/p>\n
[320left]Plan and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated outside meeting place.<\/p>\n
The State Fire Marshal\u2019s Office has distributed more than 68,000 smoke alarms throughout the state in two years\u2019 time through our \u201cGet Alarmed Tennessee\u201d program. So far, that has resulted in 71 lives being saved.<\/p>\n
![\"Tennessee](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/TDCI.jpg\" "\\"Tennessee")
The Department of Commerce and Insurance is a diverse entity of six divisions charged with protecting the interests of consumers while providing fair, efficient oversight and a level field of competition for a broad array of industries and professionals doing business in Tennessee.<\/p>\n