This is fire prevention week, the longest running public health and safety observance in the nation. Hays Chief Gary Brown if a fire breaks out, the first step should be calling 911 even if the fire is small and you think you can put it out yourself.

Many fires are started by the unsafe use of smoking materials or candles, but the number one cause of house fires is cooking. Brown says it’s critical to keep anything flammable away from the stove and keep an eye on whatever you are cooking.