Statistics show that 67 percent of all winter residential building fires occurred in one and two-family dwellings and mainly occur in the early evening hours peaking from 5 to 8 p.m. each year. It is estimated that winter residential fires result in 945 deaths, 3825 injuries and cause $1,708,000,000 in property damage each year.
The highest number of residential fires occur in December, but also teach during January, February, and March, partly due to an increase in cooking and heating. Cooking is shown to be the leading cause of winter residential building fires, making the kitchen the most hazardous room in the house during the winter months.
The United States Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association reminds residents that winter fires can be prevented with their campaign entitled “Put of Freeze on Winter Fires.” They encourage residents to follow the fire safety tips to keep their house fire safe during the winter seasons.
Their number one safety tip on keeping your kitchen fire safe is to remain in the kitchen when you are doing any kind of cooking, other tips include:
- wear short, close-fitting clothes,
- keep everything that can catch fire away from your stove-top,
- keep stove tops, burners and ovens clean,
- keep pets off of cooking surfaces and nearby counter tops,
- being alert, do not cook while you are sleepy, while you are drunk, or drowsy from taking medicines,
- use cooking equipment the way they are meant to be used,
- teach your children safe cooking behaviors.
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