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Community Corner

River Forest Fire Department Open House

Lisa Scheiner, Neighbor

RIVER FOREST FIRE DEPARTMENT TO HOST OPEN HOUSE IN RECOGNITION
OF FIRE PREVENTION WEEK



RIVER FOREST, Illinois – In recognition
of Fire Prevention Week (October 6–12), the River Forest Fire Department will
host an Open House on Saturday, October 12, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
at the Fire Station on 400 Park Avenue in River Forest.  Since more home fires start in the kitchen
than in any other part of the home, this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Prevent
Kitchen Fires.”  



This family-friendly event is free and
open to the public.  Guests are invited to
take station tours, learn more about home safety programs and participate in
demonstrations using the Fire Safety Trailer. 
Children can learn more about dialing 9-1-1 at a practice station
courtesy of West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center. The River Forest Police
Department will be available to perform car seat safety checks.  The National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children will also be on hand helping guests create a Child ID kit that
includes a photo ID and fingerprints.  Representatives
of Commonwealth Edison and NICOR Gas will be at the event and available to speak
with guests about various programs and energy efficiency strategies.  Giveaways and complimentary refreshments will
also be available while supplies last.

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According to the latest National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) research, cooking is the leading cause of home
fires.  Two of every five home fires
begin in the kitchen.  Cooking fires are
also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.



“When we’re called to a fire that started
in the kitchen we often hear that the resident only left the kitchen for a few
minutes,” said River Forest Fire Chief Jim Eggert.  “Unfortunately, that’s all it takes for a
dangerous fire to start.  We hope that
Fire Prevention Week and our open house will help us reach people in the
community before they experience it for themselves.” 

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Firefighters emphasize the following
safety tips:




  • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling
    food.

  • If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off
    the stove.

  • When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly,
    stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.

  • If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever
    possible. Keep children and pets at least three away from the stove.

  • When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.

  • Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags,
    towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop.

  • Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.


    • For more information
    about Fire Prevention Week please visit the NFPA website at http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week.
     For more information about the River
    Forest Fire Department visit www.vrf.us.

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