It's Gettin' Hot in Here: Fire Prevention Week RWC-Style

Quick.....the pan on your stove just caught on fire----what do you do? 

Hundreds of Redwood City residents learned how to handle a kitchen fire and other emergencies on Sunday at a kick-off event for Fire Prevention Week. 

Click on the video and photo slideshow above for highlights from Sunday's Fire Prevention Week kick-off.

Fire officials say two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen--more than any other place in the home, and cooking fires are the leading cause of home fire-related injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Deputy Fire Marshal Uli Peretz explained that along with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Redwood City is taking part in Fire Prevention Week, with a special emphasis this year on kitchen fires.

Sunday's event, which took place in and around Fire Station 9 on Marshall Street, included live fire demonstrations, fire equipment display, children's activities, fire extinguisher training, free smoke alarm installation sign-up, and emergency and disaster preparation and information.

Although the focus was on preventing kitchen fires, Peretz pointed out several other demonstrations taking place along Marshall Street, including Woodside Fire Protection District Safety House.

"The Safety House demonstrates what happens when a house fills up with smoke, and it teaches children how to evacuate a smoke-filled house," explained Peretz.

"Kids are shown how to crawl on their hands and knees to the closest exit--a door or a window, get out of the house, and go to a designated meeting place."

"Every family should know how to get out and where to go-- have an escape plan and a  designated meeting place in case of emergency," added Peretz. 
 
Local, county and federal agencies, and non-profit organizations were also on hand including CERT, American Red Cross, FEMA, Sheriff's Office OES, Peninsula Humane Society, San Mateo County Environmental Health, Redwood City Police Department and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Fire officials say two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen--more than any other place in the home, and cooking fires are the leading cause of home fire-related injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

To learn more about how to keep your family and community safe from kitchen fires, and to learn some basic tips for kitchen fire prevention, visit: www.redwoodcity.org/fire.

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 6-12.