MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - It takes around 4-6 minutes for the Fire Department to respond to a fire, which gives the flames time to spread. The kitchen is the leading cause of house fires and this year's National Fire Prevention week (October 6th-12th) is dedicated to preventing and informing people on the right actions to take.

Meridian Township Fire Inspector, Mark Hornberger, says that kitchen fires result in about a quarter of the year's reported fires.

"Somebody will put something on a stove and turn the wrong burner on and maybe there's is a pan without anything in it or maybe something like a Tupperware lid on the burner that they turn on, that type of thing," said Hornberger.

One of the other more common causes of fires in the kitchen, are grease fires. People might think water can beat any flame, when that is not the case.

"Water expands about 1700 times when it turns to steam, so a very small amount of water can push whatever the material is in the pan, out of the pan and spread the fire," said Hornberger.

Hornberger says that the best way to put out a grease fire is to cover the pan with a lid, turn off the heat and leave it there. Sometimes, people will try and move the fire and it can splash on the floor and spread the flames.

Other tips include: making sure you set timers and stay alert when cooking food. Its sometimes easy to get distracted by TV and phones. According to Hornberger, when it comes to your safety, and your family's safety, everything else can wait.The most important thing about cooking in the kitchen is to pay attention.

While Fire Prevention Week is only once a year, these safety procedures can be practiced on a daily basis to make sure you and your families are prepared for any emergency. Hornberger also said to keep children and pets stay away from dangerous appliances.