The City of Turlock warns its citizens of an increase in oven fires and urges the public use caution while cooking.

“We would like to urge all of residents to be safe in their homes,” said Mayor Gary Soiseth. “While we have outstanding response times by our Fire Department, citizens must be proactive in preventing these kinds of accidents that can cause them serious injury.”

Over the last two weeks, the Turlock Fire Department has responded to several oven fires throughout the City.

According to the City of Turlock, cooking related fires are the number cause of home fires and home injuries.

One in any four house fires reported from 2007 through 2011 started be fat or grease, and one in every three fire injuries resulted from these types of fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Studies also have shown that 55 percent of people who were injured in home cooking fires between 2005 and 2009 were injured while trying to fight the fire themselves.

The Turlock Fire Department reminds citizens of the follow tips to prevent these kinds of oven fires:

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove, stovetop or oven.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.
• If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If an oven or stove fire does occur, it’s important to remember the following tips:

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 911 or the local emergency number after you leave.
• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire turn off the heat and keep the door closed.