North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Declares Fire Drill Day

North Carolina’s insurance commissioner and fire marshal is urging families to use Fire Prevention Week to come up with plans to prevent kitchen fires.

Wayne Goodwin launched 2013 Fire Prevention Week on Sunday. He declared Wednesday as Family Fire Drill Day and pointed to the campaign theme, “Prevent Kitchen Fires.”

In 2012, fire departments in North Carolina responded to 8,134 home fires, with 33 percent of those attributed to cooking.

It’s suggested that families should stay in the kitchen while they fry, grill or broil food. People should use a timer to remind themselves that they are cooking, and families should have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.