Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Gives Safety Tips Amid Noticeable Uptick In Cooking Fires

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue is offering safety tips after responding to three separate fires over the last week relating to someone cooking.

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TFR Public Information Officer Holly Whigham said the last three incidents resulted in property damage and injuries, but went on to say the department in the last three months has responded to 18 cooking-related fires.

As a way to spread public awareness and education Tuscaloosa residents, TFR provided the following safety tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of 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.
• Be on alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, do not use the stovetop.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, boxes, food packaging, towels, or curtains — away from your stovetop.
• Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean.
• Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• If you have a grease fire, do not put water on it. Turn off the burner and slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames.
• If you have any doubt about fighting a small grease fire, get out and call 9-1-1.
• Be sure your home has working smoke alarms.

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