LYMAN — The Goodwin’s Mills Fire-Rescue Department, which serves Lyman and Dayton, is providing a small device to give those 60 and over some protection against kitchen fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.

Between 2007 and 2011, two of every five reported home fires, one of every witnessed and reported home fire deaths, and two of every five reported home fire injuries were caused by cooking apparatus, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Older adults have a greater risk of home fire death than the overall population.

The Goodwin’s Mills Fire-Rescue Department received grant money from the Narraganset Number One Foundation and Kennebunk Savings to purchase stovetop fire suppressors, which will be distributed to those 60 and older.

The fire suppressors are a small canister that secures, through a commercial grade magnet, to the vent hood of an oven or is installed to a surface above a stove top.

In the event of a stovetop fire, the device will be triggered, discharging a firesuppressant powder.

Chief Roger Hooper said the fire suppressors, which have a 10-year shelf life, can be used with both electric and gas stoves. Fire department staff will be trained on how to install the devices.

Hooper said cooking fires oftentimes occur because of inattention.

He said the stovetop fire suppressors work automatically and don’t need a person to operate them.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].