Big Bear Lake, CA — Homeowners are reminded to be fire-safe in the kitchen, as a second structure fire this week resulted in minor damage to a Big Bear Lake home. Per the press release issued by the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District: “At approximately 12pm Wednesday [March 3], the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District responded to a kitchen fire in the 500 block of Alden Road in the City of Big Bear Lake.
The fire ignited when the home’s oven was inadvertently left on, heating an oil-filled frying pan stored inside. An occupant phoned 9-1-1 after being alerted to the fire by the accumulating smoke and sounding smoke alarm. Two people in the home at the time of the fire safely exited the residence. Fire damage was contained to the oven, although the home suffered minor smoke damage throughout.”
Per data collected by the National Fire Protection Association (or NFPA), notes the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District, cooking equipment fires are the leading cause of home structure fires and associated civilian injuries and the third leading cause of home fire deaths. In 2008, there were 17,700 emergency room visits nationally associated with kitchen ranges or ovens.
The following NFPA safety tips are offered to reduce the likelihood of a kitchen fire:
— Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. Turn off the stove if you must leave the room, even for short absences.
— When simmering, baking, roasting or broiling, check on cooking food regularly. Remain in the home while doing these activities.
— Keep things that will burn, such as paper towels, curtains, pot holders and wooden spoons away from the stove-top.
— Keep pets off of, and away from, cooking surfaces to prevent them from knocking things onto the burners.
— Keep the stove and oven clean.
For more information regarding kitchen safety, visit www.nfpa.org or contact your local fire department:
Big Bear City Fire Department: 909/585-2362
Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District: 909/866-7566
San Bernardino County Fire Department, Fawnskin: 909/866-4878
San Bernardino County Fire Department, Baldwin Lake: 909/584-9911