Base to celebrate Fire Prevention Week with host of events Published Oct. 4, 2013 By Robins Fire Department 78th Civil Engineer Group ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- It's time for Fire Prevention Week, and Sunday through Oct. 12 Robins' Fire Emergency Services is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association to remind local residents to prevent kitchen fires. During this year's fire safety campaign, firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires - most of which result from unattended cooking - and teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place. According to the latest NFPA research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen - more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries. "Often when we're called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes," said Byron Chamberlain, Robins Fire Emergency Services Fire Prevention Assistant Chief. "Sadly, that's all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will help us reach folks in the community before they've suffered a damaging lesson." Safety tips firefighters and safety advocates will be emphasizing include: -Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling or boiling food. -If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove. -When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home and use a timer to remind you. -If you have young children, use the stove's back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least 3 away from the stove. -When cooking, wear clothing with tight sleeves. -Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels and anything else that can burn away from the stovetop. -Clean food and grease from burners and stovetops. Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. It is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. Fire Prevention Week schedule of events: -Monday - From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. a fire truck will be on display at the Base Exchange. Firefighters will be handing out fire-prevention materials. -Tuesday - Fire-safety cards will be distributed at flight line entry gate 31 from 7 to 8 a.m. Sparky the Fire Dog and the "Friendly Fireman" will be at the Child Development Center in Bldg. 946 from 9 to 10 a.m. A fire truck will be on display at the Base Exchange and firefighters will hand out fire prevention materials with the help of Sparky from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., Smokey Bear will make an appearance at Bldg. 215. Station One Open House will include kitchen fire safety, extinguisher training and fire truck will be on display. -Wednesday- Fire-safety cards will be distributed at flight line entry gate 44 from 7 to 8 a.m. Sparky and the "Friendly Fireman" will be at the CDC in Bldg. 943 from 9 to 10 a.m. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. firefighters will hand out fire-prevention materials and there will be a visit from Sparky at the Base Restaurant in Bldg. 166. Smokey will also make an appearance at Bldg. 2071 at 2 p.m. Station One Open House will include kitchen fire safety, extinguisher training and a fire truck display. -Thursday - from 7 to 8 a.m., fire-safety cards will be distributed at flight line entry gate 38. Smokey will also make an appearance at Bldg. 2071 from 9 to 10 a.m. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. firefighters will hand out fire-prevention materials and there will be visits from Sparky or Smokey at the flight line dining facility in Bldg. 2062. Smokey will make an appearance at Bldg. 905 at 2 p.m. Station One Open House will include kitchen fire safety, extinguisher training and fire truck will be on display. -Oct. 11: - From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. a fire truck will be displayed at the BX and firefighters will hand out fire-prevention materials along with the help of Sparky. Smokey will also make an appearance at Bldg. 1555 at 2 p.m. Editor's Note: For more information about fire prevention, call 468-2145.