By Marcy Ost, Admin Assistant
I was recently able to attend the Vision 20/20 Symposium, where we got to hear about model community risk reduction programs from all over the country. We heard about some amazing programs, and eventually, I’ll tell you about a lot of them, including the one about “Ocean Rescue Reduction”, but today we’re looking at cooking fire prevention.
Cooking is an essential aspect of daily life, but it also comes with inherent risks, particularly concerning fire safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and injuries in the United States. However, with advancements in technology, we now have innovative solutions to mitigate these risks. Temperature-limiting burner elements are revolutionizing kitchen safety by offering enhanced control and monitoring capabilities.
The Worcester, M.A. fire department found they had a problem with cooking fires in four high-rise buildings. These buildings accounted for an average of 12 fires per MONTH. After the first phase of their program, they saw a 96% reduction in cooking related fire calls. There have been NO incidents in any of the apartments that have been equipped with SmartBurners. The full case study can be found here.
One of the key features of this technology is automatic shut-off functionality. These burners can detect unusual situations, such as overheating or prolonged inactivity, and automatically turn off to prevent potential fire hazards. This capability is particularly useful in households where distractions are common, such as busy families or individuals with hectic schedules. By acting as a failsafe mechanism, automatic shut-off reduces the likelihood of cooking-related fires.
In addition to proactive safety measures, some temperature-limiting burner elements offer real-time monitoring and alerts, keeping users informed about their cooking environment. Integrated sensors detect smoke, gas leaks, or other potential hazards, immediately alerting homeowners to take necessary actions.
Moreover, the connectivity of these burners enables remote monitoring and control via smartphone apps or home automation systems. Whether homeowners are in another room or away from home, they can check the status of their burners and make adjustments as needed.
For those of you struggling with microwave fires in dorms, there is a product for that, too! Check out this video.
Next Month:
May is “Building Safety Month”. You can find an all-inclusive campaign created by the International Code Council here.
Resources:
We’re working to build up the resources on our webpage, specifically the Community Risk Reduction section. We’ve recently added links we find helpful. While you’re there, check out the links for ND fire department CRR pages. If you don’t see yours, let me know, and we’ll get you added!
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Sprinkler Save in Williston
Bismarck Smoke Alarm Event