Live Fire Demonstration Part Of St. Charles Fire Department Open House

ST. CHARLES, IL — A live fire demonstration, special rescue operations and combat challenges for kids are all planned this weekend during the St. Charles Fire Department's open house.

The open house will run from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at fire station #1, 112 N. Riverside Avenue in St. Charles, and is part of fire prevention week. The theme for this year's fire prevention week is "cooking safety starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention."

The goal of the campaign is to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe, according to a news release from the city of St. Charles.

Those stopping out to the open house can chat with firefighters, learn more about fire safety and take part in fun activities for children. There will also be a live fire demonstration, special rescue operations and combat challenges for kids, according to a news release.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States, and unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths, according to a National Fire Protection Association news release.

“Year after year, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for half (49 percent) of all U.S. home fires,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “These numbers tell us that there is still much work to do when it comes to better educating the public about ways to stay safe when cooking.”

Local fire officials are encouraging all residents to embrace the 2023 fire prevention week theme.

“Cooking safety starts with you,” said Chad Tinsley, Fire Lieutenant. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”

The St. Charles Fire Department offers these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire:

• Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner
• Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 meter) around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

The St. Charles Fire Department is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s prevention week theme, including school talks.

More information about fire prevention week and activities can be found on the fire prevention week website.