Detroit Fire Department urges residents to prioritize home fire safety in upcoming Safety Series Webinar

Upcoming DFD Safety Series Webinar to Address Cooking, Smoking, and Candle-Related Fire Risks
Nearly a quarter of home fires in Detroit originate from cooking
Join us Wednesday, March 12, at https://detroitmi.gov/SafetySeries

Cooking, smoking, and candle use are common household activities, but they also pose significant fire risks. The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) is committed to keeping residents safe by providing essential fire prevention education. As part of this mission, DFD is hosting its next DFD Safety Series webinar on Tuesday, March 12, focusing on fire prevention and safety related to cooking, smoking, and candles.

Home cooking remains the leading cause of reported home fires and fire-related injuries nationwide. In Detroit, nearly 22% of all structure fires in 2024 were cooking-related, with 14% caused by improper use of cooking appliances. Unattended cooking is the number one factor contributing to kitchen fires nationwide, with many injuries occurring when individuals attempt to extinguish fires themselves.

“Fire safety starts with awareness and prevention,” said Captain Theresa Halsell of the Detroit Fire Department Community Relations Division. “Simple actions, like staying in the kitchen while cooking and keeping flammable items away from open flames, can save lives.”

The Detroit Fire Department created the DFD Safety Series to help educate our community on various topics. “Some of the most damaging fires we have here in Detroit are due to cooking, smoking and improper use of candles,” said Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms. “Our team is working to empower our residents to stay safe by making sure they have access to the best tips and tricks to prevent fires at home and know what to do if one does occur.”

Key Fire Safety Tips:

Cooking Safety:

Stay in the kitchen while cooking and always use a timer.
Keep flammable materials away from the stovetop.
If a stovetop fire occurs, slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner—never use water on grease fires.
For oven fires, keep the door closed and turn off the heat.

Smoking Safety:

Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths, and 25% of those killed in smoking-related fires are not the smoker whose cigarette started the fire.
Always smoke outside and use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
Never smoke in a home where medical oxygen is in use.
Ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished in water or sand before disposal.

Candle Safety:

Candles cause nearly 6,000 home fires annually across the US, leading to an average of 74 deaths and over $250 million in property damage.
Keep candles at least one foot away from anything flammable.
Never leave burning candles unattended and always blow them out before sleeping.
Consider switching to flameless LED candles for added safety.

WHEN IN DOUBT… GET OUT!

If a fire occurs in your home, get out immediately and call 911. The Detroit Fire Department has one of the best response times in the country and is ready to help when needed.

DFD encourages residents to join the DFD Safety Series webinar on March 12 to learn more about fire prevention and safety best practices.

For more information, contact Captain Theresa Halsell at [email protected] or (313) 596-2959.