Keep Cooking Safely
Because more folks are cooking more meals at home these days, there has been an uptick in kitchen fires or kitchen-related smoke incidents in the Village, requiring a response by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), which provides outstanding service and emergency response to our community. However, it might take firefighters several minutes to arrive on scene, and significant damage can occur during that time.
OCFA offers a brief video on kitchen safety and the use of a fire extinguisher. All residents are encouraged to keep at least one fire extinguisher in their unit. If you have only one extinguisher, keep it somewhere close to the kitchen. In the event of a small stove fire, an extinguisher can quickly stop the flare-up. For safety reasons, always call 911 immediately. Quickly exit the unit if you feel unsafe.
Remember the PASS technique when using an extinguisher: Pull, aim, squeeze and sweep.
It’s best to have a multipurpose fire extinguisher, such as one for Class A-B-C fires. Here’s a quick guide to what those letters mean:
- Class A: Ordinary combustibles like cloth, wood and paper
- Class B: Flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil
- Class C: Electrical appliances and tools
Smoke Detectors
All units also should have working smoke detectors that will alert residents in the event of a fire. OCFA offers the following tips about smoke detector installation and inspection:
- Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and both inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping areas
- Install smoke alarms on the ceiling or high up on the wall
- Use interconnected smoke alarms: When one alarm sounds, they all sound
- Consider special alarms with strobe lights or bed shakers if household Residents are hearing impaired
- Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button
- Change 9-volt smoke alarm batteries twice a year; smoke alarms with long-life batteries work for up to 10 years, so they never need changing (just replace every 10 years)
- Change the battery immediately if the alarm chirps a low-battery warning
For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.
