A Grand Junction insurance agent has joined in an effort to promote cooking safety and fire prevention.

LaVonne Gorsuch, a State Farm agent, donated a Fire Prevention Week kit to the Grand Junction Fire Department. The kit includes home fire safety and prevention activities as well as information for children and adults.

The donation was part of an effort with the National Fire Protection Association promoting Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 8 to 14.

“State Farm encourages homeowners to make fire prevention an important part of their overall home safety plan,” Gorsuch said. “Fire Prevention Week reminds that cooking with caution should be at the top of the list. This also is a good time to check your smoke alarms to ensure they are functioning.”

Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy for the National Fire Protection Association, said cooking fires pose a leading cause of home fires and injuries. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign works to highlight when and where cooking fires happen most often, along with simple ways to minimize those risks.”

The Grand Junction Fire Department offered a number of cooking safety tips:

Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent spills and burns.

Keep a lid nearby when cooking on the stove. If a small fire starts, slide the lid over the pain and turn off the burner.

Remain in the kitchen while cooking. If you leave even for a short time, turn off the stove.

Check on cooking food regularly and use a timer as a reminder.

Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the stove and oven and from where hot foods and liquids are served.

Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, food packaging and towels — away from the stove.

Remain alert. If you’re tired or consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or oven.

For more information about cooking safety and fire prevention, visit the website at www.fpw.org.