Celebrate Your Loved Ones on Valentine’s Day by Keeping Fire Safety in Mind

Posted on: 02/13/2024

New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Encourages Safe Use of Cooking Appliances and Candles to Prevent Romantic Sparks from Turning into Burning Flames

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety (NJDFS) is urging residents to safely use cooking appliances and candles this Valentine’s Day to prevent romantic gestures from turning into a fire tragedy.

“Valentine’s Day is a wonderful occasion to show the special people in our lives how much we love and appreciate them. There is no better way to demonstrate our love than keeping the people we care about safe from harm, including fires,” said NJDFS Director and State Fire Marshal Richard Mikutsky. “If preparing a special meal is part of your holiday celebration, please make sure you’re keeping a close eye on what’s cooking and aren’t getting distracted.”

Nearly half (49 percent) of all home fires in the United States involve cooking equipment, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and half of all cooking fire deaths.

State Fire Marshal Mikutsky suggests the following cooking safety actions to prevent fires associated with meal preparation:

Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.
When cooking food in the oven, stay in your home and check on it regularly.
Set a timer on your stove or phone to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.
Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels away from direct contact with the cooking area.
Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that could encounter a heat source.
Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time.
For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.
Keep children at least three feet away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is being prepared or served. Steam or spills from these items can cause severe burns.

“People like to use candles during celebrations because they’re nice to look at and they create a pleasant mood,” said State Fire Marshal Mikutsky. “However, candles are an open flame, which means they can easily ignite anything that can burn.”

He encourages using battery-operated candles, which provide a similar look and feel to open-flame candles while eliminating the risk of fire.

If people choose to use real candles, State Fire Marshal Mikutsky urges taking the following precautions to prevent fires:

Avoid using candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
Use a candle with a thick base, or ideally one contained in glass. They have a wider platform on a surface and are less susceptible to being knocked over. Placing a candle inside a glass globe offers even more protection.
Put candles on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
Keep live candles away from flammable surfaces by at least one foot, including draperies, curtains, and loose fabric.
Light candles carefully. Keep hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
Once lighted, don’t move a candle, as it is hot to the touch and may cause it to fall.
Do not leave live candles unattended.
Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle. Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach, in a locked cabinet.
Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
Use a metal candlesnuffer to extinguish a candle. Blowing out a candle may send a hot ember to a flammable surface.

In addition, NJDFS encourages residents to make sure they have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and to develop and practice a home escape plan in the case of fire.

The Division of Fire Safety serves as the central fire service agency in the state. The Division is responsible for the development and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Code, as well as engaging the public on community risk reduction strategies, assisting in fire department preparedness and conducting firefighter training programs.

In addition to fire safety, DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, and information privacy.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: