By Staff
I am just as negligent as many are about checking smoke alarm batteries every year.
I used to even take out the one closest to the stove because my fabulous cooking often made it go off.
Having taken photos of what was left of my in-laws' home following a terrifying fire in the middle of the night, I should know better.
Fire spreads quickly and can trap you, leaving you without an exit. At least smoke alarms offer an early warning.
My in-laws were some of the few lucky ones to survive without working smoke alarms, as their home was torched during the night by some prankster on April Fool's Day.
They were lucky because someone passing by saw the flames and pounded on their front door, alerting them to seek safety.
Along with their daughter, who has Down's Syndrome, two of their granddaughters were also sleeping over upstairs that night.
The people, who had just left the bar down the street, helped carry out the kids.
They did lose the house my father-in-law built and most of their possessions, but they had their lives.
Though they couldn't have foreseen someone being so hateful as to start a fire on their back porch, they should have had smoke alarms.
Besides smoke alarms, prevention is also another way to save your life and your property.
Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 8 through 14 this year.
Its beginning stems from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
For 84 years the organization has taken the lead in public fire safety outreach by serving as the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week.
Fire departments here and in Canada mark the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 during the week proclaimed by the president of the United States each year to teach public awareness.
This year the emphasis is on cooking fires, which are the number-one cause of home fires and home fire injuries, with the theme "Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat."
I would have thought smoking in bed would kill and injure more than cooking fires, but the NFPA estimates cooking fires account for hundreds of deaths and 4,000 more injured.
Property losses may also reach half a billion dollars each year.
The Web site www.firepreventionweek.org offers tips to prevent these needless deaths and injuries and visitors may also test their cooking safety knowledge by taking an online quiz.
I like their hint to "Stand by your pan."
Leaving the stove on to answer a phone or check something outside might just be the minute which could turn into a tragedy.
Who hasn't discovered a pan in which all the water has dried up and the vegetables are turning an unappetizing brown?
What if you forgot you were cooking and headed to the store?
You might find more than unedible vegetables when you return, like flashing lights and firefighters.
A timer might help remind you that the stove or oven is on.
Even though we know we should be more careful, loose clothing or dangling sleeves can also catch fire very quickly.
I remember when my kids took turns cooking their favorites, especially Kraft macaroni and cheese, but I also believe I supervised them until I was sure they were responsible.
I still keep pot handles inward, so pots can't easily be knocked over.
The tips also recommend never holding a small child while cooking.
Keeping your stove clean of things like pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains, just makes sense.