National Fire Prevention Week: Play it safe in the kitchen
While annual Fire Prevention Week ends today, it is important to remember that fires as a result of preparing meals or snacks can occur at any time.
Data collected from around the country that between 2014 to 2016 notes that cooking was by far the leading cause of all residential building fires, nearly 50 percent of all fires in home across the nation.
"The most important step you should take before making a meal is to 'Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!'" says Fire Chief Jim Kreher, President of the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance. "A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented."
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen according to the National Fire Protection Association. Two-thirds of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials. The most frequent cause of home fires is from cooking oil and grease.
"We know cooking fires can be prevented," said Lorraine Carli, VP of Outreach and Advocacy at the NFPA. "Staying in the kitchen, using a timer, and avoiding distractions such as electronics or TV are steps everyone can take to keep families safe in their homes."
The IFSA has safety tips that anyone cooking on a stove or open fire should observe to prevent accidental fires or flare-ups.
1. Never leave food to cook unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
2. Create and maintain a "kid-free zone" of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
3. Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking.
4. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
5. 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.
6. Be alert when cooking. Avoid cooking or baking if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that can make you drowsy.
Photo of the Day - October 8, 2020
Spartans beat Pontiac in straight sets
St. Joseph-Ogden's Rylee Stahl passes the ball to the front row during her team's home Illini Prairie Conference match against Pontiac in October of 2019. SJO defeated the visiting Indians 25-12, 25-17. Finishing the remainder of the season undefeated, Stahl and the Spartans closed out the season with a final record of 37-5 after securing a third-place state trophy at the Illinois High School Association volleyball state tournament.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
If Trump is not re-elected, America will be hurting
By Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
All most every American has an opinion about the upcoming election. However, there are several realities we must face.
If President Trump is not re-elected the southern border wall will not be completed.
I would suspect Biden and the Democrats will tear it down. The wall symbolizes Trump's Presidency. In an age of mass human trafficking, drug smuggling and terrorism the wall is a layer of security. It won't stop an army but it will prevent entry into our country from being so easy.
Jobs will go back to Mexico, China, Vietnam and other places.
Four years ago, you couldn't find a job that paid $15 an hour. Until Covid-19 hit, there were more jobs in America that were paying over $15 an hour than ever before. Hammering on the heads of corporations and big businesses for more taxes and higher priced health insurance will not keep jobs in America.
The answer to America's problems is not gouging the people who make more money than we do. More jobs with more people making good pay is what America continues to need.
It's a lot more fun to get a good paycheck than food stamps. Americans need the pride of being able to go to the grocery store, buy new cars and provide for an adequate retirement. The eight years before Trump saw a desperate country trying to decide between working for $8 an hour or applying for Social Security disability. Who wants to go back to that?
Medical care will skyrocket.
More taxes will be needed for Socialized medicine. We want all Americans to have good healthcare. Medicare should be a good option.
However, we need more competition between medical insurance groups and freedom to buy throughout the country. Trump has been working feverishly to bring the costs of medicine down and to make hospitals reveal upfront what their costs will be for procedures.
The military, police, and Veterans will suffer.
Can we really afford to defund the police? There are counties in America today that only have access to two or three police officers. The citizens of these counties are already on their own as far as protecting themselves. Can these areas afford less protection? Can Louisville, Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago do better with fewer police officers? They cannot. Biden is being supported by people who want to defund the police. Is this what America wants?
In an age of world terrorism can we afford to not have the best supported military in the world? We all pray for no more wars but we have to keep our military strong and provide them with the best resources. Veterans are finally receiving help. Veterans were dying before Trump because of such poor medical care. Today a Veteran can actually see a doctor and be treated without having to wait six months for an appointment. Trump has worked hard for the military, the police and the Veterans. Does the average American want less?
The list goes on.
Trump has worked to rebuild our infrastructure. He will keep our Social Security solvent. The stock market has seen its greatest years in history. Today, more Americans feel like they have a chance at having some retirement money.
Trump will continue to encourage laboratories for a Covid-19 vaccine.
In years past we might have had to wait "years" for the average American to have access to treatment. Labs are working hard throughout America, England, Jerusalem and more to come up with the best vaccine possible. We will not get this country back on its feet until a vaccine is available and working. Trump is pushing for this.
What about freedom of religion in this country?
At least now we can have a day of prayer in America. Does the average American want more abortions than we have now? Does America want to kill more babies? Keep in mind that a government who supports the murder of the unborn for birth control purposes will also support making your senior adult death really easy when you are in an Intensive Care Unit or a nursing home.
They can't afford your Social Security and Medicare now. Will Joe Biden make this better?
No person is perfect. We all see the good and bad in people.
Voting is your opportunity to be a part of this process. We have to get through this year without destroying relationships. We all have our various opinions and I hope my liberal colleagues and relatives will still speak to me during the holidays.
However, if President Trump is not re-elected, America will be hurting.
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All most every American has an opinion about the upcoming election. However, there are several realities we must face.
If President Trump is not re-elected the southern border wall will not be completed.
I would suspect Biden and the Democrats will tear it down. The wall symbolizes Trump's Presidency. In an age of mass human trafficking, drug smuggling and terrorism the wall is a layer of security. It won't stop an army but it will prevent entry into our country from being so easy.
Jobs will go back to Mexico, China, Vietnam and other places.
Four years ago, you couldn't find a job that paid $15 an hour. Until Covid-19 hit, there were more jobs in America that were paying over $15 an hour than ever before. Hammering on the heads of corporations and big businesses for more taxes and higher priced health insurance will not keep jobs in America.
The answer to America's problems is not gouging the people who make more money than we do. More jobs with more people making good pay is what America continues to need.
It's a lot more fun to get a good paycheck than food stamps. Americans need the pride of being able to go to the grocery store, buy new cars and provide for an adequate retirement. The eight years before Trump saw a desperate country trying to decide between working for $8 an hour or applying for Social Security disability. Who wants to go back to that?
Medical care will skyrocket.
More taxes will be needed for Socialized medicine. We want all Americans to have good healthcare. Medicare should be a good option.
However, we need more competition between medical insurance groups and freedom to buy throughout the country. Trump has been working feverishly to bring the costs of medicine down and to make hospitals reveal upfront what their costs will be for procedures.
The military, police, and Veterans will suffer.
Can we really afford to defund the police? There are counties in America today that only have access to two or three police officers. The citizens of these counties are already on their own as far as protecting themselves. Can these areas afford less protection? Can Louisville, Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago do better with fewer police officers? They cannot. Biden is being supported by people who want to defund the police. Is this what America wants?
In an age of world terrorism can we afford to not have the best supported military in the world? We all pray for no more wars but we have to keep our military strong and provide them with the best resources. Veterans are finally receiving help. Veterans were dying before Trump because of such poor medical care. Today a Veteran can actually see a doctor and be treated without having to wait six months for an appointment. Trump has worked hard for the military, the police and the Veterans. Does the average American want less?
The list goes on.
Trump has worked to rebuild our infrastructure. He will keep our Social Security solvent. The stock market has seen its greatest years in history. Today, more Americans feel like they have a chance at having some retirement money.
Trump will continue to encourage laboratories for a Covid-19 vaccine.
In years past we might have had to wait "years" for the average American to have access to treatment. Labs are working hard throughout America, England, Jerusalem and more to come up with the best vaccine possible. We will not get this country back on its feet until a vaccine is available and working. Trump is pushing for this.
What about freedom of religion in this country?
At least now we can have a day of prayer in America. Does the average American want more abortions than we have now? Does America want to kill more babies? Keep in mind that a government who supports the murder of the unborn for birth control purposes will also support making your senior adult death really easy when you are in an Intensive Care Unit or a nursing home.
They can't afford your Social Security and Medicare now. Will Joe Biden make this better?
No person is perfect. We all see the good and bad in people.
Voting is your opportunity to be a part of this process. We have to get through this year without destroying relationships. We all have our various opinions and I hope my liberal colleagues and relatives will still speak to me during the holidays.
However, if President Trump is not re-elected, America will be hurting.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.
This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of PhotoNews Media. We welcome comments and views from our readers.
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