BERWYN, PA - The Berwyn Fire Company is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention WeekTM (FPW) for more than 100 years — to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire preventionTM.” The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths.

“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.”

The career staff and volunteers of the Berwyn Fire Company encourage all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Cooking safety start with YOU,” said Fire Chief Justin Brundage. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”

Berwyn Fire Company offers these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire.

1.) Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
2.) 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.
3.) 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 Berwyn Fire Company and Radnor Fire Company are once again co-hosting the 5th Annual Main Line Fire Prevention Expo, at the Devon Horse Show, in support of this year’s FPW campaign on Saturday, October 21st from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Area fire companies, police officers and other first responders will be displaying equipment and performing fire/rescue demonstrations. The popular antique fire truck rides will also be running throughout the event. There will also be free giveaways and light refreshments provided.

If you would like to sponsor the Expo, check out the attached PDF document at the link below. The completed form can be emailed to Radnor Fire Company Executive Director Brian Zimmerman at bzimmerman@radnorfire.com.

To find out more about FPW programs and activities in the Tredyffrin-Easttown community please contact Berwyn Fire Company Fire Chief Justin Brundage via email at justin.brundage@berwynfireco.org. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit www.fpw.org. For fire safety fun for kids, visit sparky.org.