Rockingham Fire Department kicking off Fire Prevention Week

ROCKINGHAM — Local firefighters will be teaching kids the importance of fire safety on Saturday.

The Rockingham Fire Department will be at Tractor Supply from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for its annual Fire Prevention Day event.

Chief Harold Isler said trucks from the department’s fleet will be on display.

Sparky the Fire Dog will be on site, and there will also be a bounce house, super slide and free hot dogs. There will also be a car seat checking station.

Fire Prevention Week officially begins on Oct. 8 and runs through Oct. 14.

This year’s theme, according to the N.C. Department of Insurance, is: “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.”

According to the American Red Cross, cooking is the leading cause of house fires across the nation.

“Cooking is something that brings families and friends together, yes, but this normal, everyday activity can also lead to disaster,”Allison Taylor, regional CEO of Humanitarian Services, North Carolina Region, said in a press release. “To help keep your loved ones safe, it’s important to remain in the kitchen while you’re preparing meals for your family.”

NCDOI provided statistics from the National Fire Protection Agency:

• U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 158,400 home structure fires per year started by cooking activities between 2017-2021.
• These fires caused an average of 470 deaths and 4,150 reported injuries annually.
• Ranges or cooktops were involved in the 53% of reported home cooking fires, 88% of cooking fire deaths and 74% of cooking fire injuries.
• Unattended cooking was the leading cause of cooking fires and casualties.

“It’s easy to lose focus when you’re cooking, especially if you’re entertaining kids,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, who also serves as state fire marshal. “So many fires happen because people are simply not paying attention in the kitchen or on the grill. Keeping a close eye on what you’re cooking could help prevent fires and save lives.”

The Red Cross offers the following safety tips while cooking:

• If you are frying, grilling or broiling food, never leave it unattended — stay in the kitchen. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Don’t wear loose clothing or sleeves that dangle while cooking.
• If you’re simmering, baking, roasting or broiling food, check it regularly.
• Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Keep kids and pets away from the cooking area. Make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen. Contact your local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
• Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year if your smoke alarm requires it.

According to NCDOT, there have been 104 fire-related deaths in North Carolina so far this year, which is fewer than the 151 in 2022.

Causey will be in Southern Pines Saturday for the first of his three stops to promote fire safety.

The commissioner was in Derby last week for the department’s 40th anniversary. Click here to read that story.