Friday February, 25 2022 @ 18:50

Nature: Alarm Sounding

Location: 33412 Marina Bay Circle, The Peninsula, DE 19966

 

On Friday evening, February 25^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for an automatic fire alarm sounding on Marina Bay Circle in the Peninsula development off Bay Farm Road. 

Emergency response units from Indian River included Tower 80 from the Oak Orchard facility and Command 80 from the Long Neck area. 

It was determined that the incident was the result of a culinary mishap and the Incident Command Officer terminated all responding apparatus after conferring with the occupants of the residential structure.

The basic purpose of an automatic fire alarm system is to detect a fire in its early stages, notify the building occupants that there is a fire emergency and report the emergency to first responders.

1. What causes a false fire alarm to go off?

False fire alarms can have many causes, but one of the most common culprits is dust. Even the cleanest homes can have dust, and it is one of the biggest causes of smoke detector problems. The trouble starts when dust finds its way into a smoke detector.

2. Does burning food set off a fire alarm?

Yes, culinary mishaps do set off fire alarm systems.  If burning food does set off your fire alarms, open some windows and turn on the vent fan above the stove. Once the smoke has cleared from the house, standard 110-volt detectors will stop sounding.

Cooking safety tips

The kitchen is by nature a dangerous space. There are many heat producing appliances, electronics, and of course, open flames. Treat your kitchen like the dangerous place that it is; with caution.

Here are a few tips for safe cooking from the NFPA:

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

• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly and stay in the home.

• Always keep a lid nearby when cooking.

• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food/drinks are being prepared.

These tips are even more important when hosting guests or having parties where the kitchen may become an area for socializing. Cooks may become easily distracted. Party guests may unintentionally knock something over, causing a fire. Keep the kitchen for cooking and designate another area of your home for entertaining.