Plainfield Fire Department
provides Fire, Emergency and
Rescue services for the residents
and businesses of Plainfield Charter
Township in Kent County, Michigan. 
 

Using Flameless Candles is one way you can help prevent fires in your home.  If you purchase these beautiful, but safe alternatives through this Fundraising program sponsored by The Congressional Fire Services Institute, 20% of the purchase price will be donated to the Plainfield Township Fire Department!  Go here for more details and to learn how you can make your home safer.

Northview Bus Driver saves the life of a choking child.
Quick reactions and the training bus driver Deb LaFata received from the Plainfield Township Fire Department saved the life of a young Northview Student. See the story here.

According to the NFPA, cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries.

They accounted for 40% of all reported home structure fires. In 2005, U.S. fire departments responded to nearly 150,000 home structure fires that involved cooking equipment. These fires caused approximately 500 civilian deaths, 5,000 civilian fire injuries and $900 million in direct property damage. Sixty percent of reported home cooking fire injuries occurred when victims tried to fight the fire themselves.

Nearly all cooking equipment fires start with the ignition of food, other cooking materials (e.g., grease, cooking oil), or other items normally found or installed in a kitchen (e.g., cabinets, wall coverings, paper or plastic bags, curtains).

Facts & figures

• In 2005, U.S. fire departments responded to 146,400 home structure fires that involved cooking equipment in 2005. These fires caused 480 civilian fire deaths, 4,690 civilian fire injuries and $876 million in direct property damage.
• Cooking equipment fires are the leading cause of home structure fires and associated civilian injuries. These fires accounted for 40% of all reported home structure fires in 2005 and 36% of home civilian injuries.
• Twelve percent of the fires occurred when something that could catch fire was too close to the equipment.
• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.
• Three-fifths (59%) of reported home cooking fire injuries occurred when victims tried to fight the fire themselves.
• A CPSC study found that 83% of frying fires began in the first 15 minutes of cooking.
  

NFPA Safety Tips

• Always use cooking equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, towels or curtains - away from your stovetop.
• Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
• Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.
• Always keep a oven mitt and lid nearby when you're cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool.
• If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again.

Source: National Fire Prevention Association

April is National Asbestos Awareness Month. Follow this link to The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center to learn more about the dangers of Asbestos in your home and in the workplace.

The Plainfield Fire Department will be accepting food donations for the Madison Square Neighborhood Food Bank as an ongoing effort to help underprivileged families in the Madison Square neighborhood. Please drop off your food donations at either fire station.