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Fire Prevention Week marks the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of October 8-9, 1871.  The historic blaze raged for several days and killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings. Each October, the National Fire Prevention Association sponsors a fire prevention campaign.  The theme for Fire Prevention Week 2006 focuses on the leading cause of fire and injuries---cooking.   “Prevent Cooking Fires:  Watch What You Heat!”  The Plano Fire Department would like you to be aware of the following safety tips: Pay attention to your cooking.  Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food. If you must leave the room-even for a short period of time—turn off the stove. When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you. If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove. When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves. Allow food cooked in a microwave oven to cool for a minute or more before you remove it from the oven and use an oven mitt. Open microwaved food slowly.  Hot steam escaping from the container can cause painful burns.  Let food cool before eating.