Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 8, 2023) — The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada is partnering with local fire departments during the 101^st Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8-14, to emphasize the importance of cooking and kitchen fire safety. Cooking is the leading cause of home fire injuries and nearly half of all home fires.

“Our goal is not just to respond to disasters, but to prevent them. By taking simple precautions, every Nevadan can help reduce the number of kitchen fires, ensuring a safer community,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross, Southern Nevada Chapter. “The kitchen is where we gather for meals and create lasting memories, but it can also be a potential danger zone. We're committed to making every Nevada kitchen a safe zone.  Remember, fire safety starts at home and it starts with you.”

Nationwide, fire departments respond to over 170,000 home fires caused by cooking each year. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states the primary cause for these fires is unattended stoves during cooking. These fires result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and over $1 billion in damages annually.

The Red Cross of Southern Nevada offers the following kitchen cooking and fire safety tips:

To prevent a cooking fire in your kitchen:

• Monitor your cooking; unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires.
• Wear short or close-fitting sleeves to prevent loose clothing from catching fire.
  
• Regularly clean cooking surfaces to prevent food and grease buildup.
  
• Keep curtains, towels, potholders, solvents and flammable cleaners away from the stove. Never store gasoline indoors.
  
• Turn pan handles inward to prevent spills.
  

To put out a cooking fire in your kitchen:

• Call 911 immediately.
• For grease or oil fires, smother flames by sliding a pan lid over them, turn off the heat and leave the lid on until the pan cools. Do not carry the pan outside.
  
• Use baking soda to extinguish other food fires, but never use water or flour.
  
• Smother fire with a wet towel or other large wet cloth.
  
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it correctly.

Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers and staff frequently respond to home fires, which can leave families devastated and in need of immediate assistance. “So far this year, Red Cross of Southern Nevada team members have responded to over 200 home fires, helping nearly 800 Nevadans by providing emotional support, financial assistance and valuable information to help families begin to recover,” Flanigan said.

Free smoke alarms and fire safety educations available
Residents seeking fire prevention assistance can schedule a free smoke alarm installation appointment at SoundTheAlarm.org/Nevada. During the 20-minute home visit, Red Cross volunteers will also share information on preventing home fires, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan.

“Contact the Red Cross of Southern Nevada if you can't afford a smoke alarm or are physically unable to install one or check its batteries. We may be able to assist,” Flanigan said. “Fire Prevention Week serves as a significant reminder to practice your two-minute home fire escape drill and test your smoke alarms.”

About Fire Prevention Week
Started in 1922 by the National Fire Protection Association, Fire Prevention Week educates the public about fire prevention and safety. It is observed each year during the week of Oct. 9 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which began Oct. 8, 1871, and caused devastating loss of life and property. Since 1925, it has been nationally recognized under a proclamation by President Calvin Coolidge, making Fire Prevention Week the longest-running public-awareness campaign in the United States.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.