Sheriff's Office Reminds Residents to Practice Fire Safety

Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson announced that the Sheriff’s Office is recognizing October 4 -10, 2020 as Fire Prevention Week. The Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years —to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
According to National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

Sheriff Anderson said, “I want to thank all of our firefighters and emergency medical service personnel for all that they do every day. We will continue to work alongside our local fire departments to promote fire safety to protect lives and property in Dutchess County.”

Fire investigators from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Fire & Arson Investigation Unit are part of the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response Fire Investigation Division. This team of fire service and law enforcement investigators respond to fires throughout Dutchess County and assist the fire chief with determining the origin and cause of fires and explosions. When investigators determine how a fire starts, a focus can be put on future fire prevention efforts to help save lives and property.

Sheriff Anderson reminds residents to practice the following fire safety tips to reduce the chance of having a cooking fire:

• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• You have to be alert when cooking. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
• Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

For additional fire safety tips, Sheriff Anderson encourages residents to reach out to their local fire departments.