You may have noticed a fire weather watch over parts of Alabama this past week due to the dry conditions and low humidity.

As October is also Fire Prevention Month, Gulf Shores Fire Inspector Justin Parks has a few safety tips and prevention methods to keep your family safe from a fire emergency.

Parks said one of the most common causes for house fires are caused by cooking with oil and grease, so homeowners should stay vigilant when in the kitchen.

"Always make sure you don't leave a hot stovetop unattended when cooking, especially if you are deep-frying, or cooking with oils or food with a high fat content," Parks said. "I like to keep a wet dish towel close by when cooking with oil; this can also be used to smother the fire."

Parks said making sure to clean a grill regularly will also aid in preventing fires, as the grease can build and ignite quickly.

"It's always best to pull your grill away from the house, and I've personally had some close calls at my house with grilling," Parks said. "It can be tempting to cook on your covered back porch when it's raining, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it. Personally, if I do have to pull my grill under due to a pop up rain storm, I never walk away from it and make sure I have a way to extinguish a fire close by."

Parks said that dry weather and windy conditions can also contribute to the risk of fires.

"Dry weather can contribute to the rapid spread of wildland fires, and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management actually issues a burn ban every year, the ban runs from May 1 through Oct. 31 each year and covers all of Baldwin County," he said.

Parks said lightning is another common cause of fires and notes that anyone who suspects their house may have been struck by lightning call the fire department to inspect immediately.

Parks also said electrical fires can plague homeowners, and he suggests refraining from overloading electrical outlets.

"Overloading electrical outlets can create heat that can result in a fire, if you are using a power strip make sure you are not exceeding the manufacturer's recommendations," Parks said. "You should never connect two power strips together, and never use extension cords for large appliances or as a substitute for permanent wiring."

Parks said that while island residents may face a recurrent risk of fire due to the frequent windy conditions, even during the busy seasons there is not a substantial rise in emergency calls due to fire.

"With that being said, we do have an increased risk of wildland fire within the state park, RV parks and campgrounds close to natural vegetation due to charcoal cooking," Parks said. "Before discarding charcoal, we ask that you do not discard charcoal until it has burned out and fully cooled."

Parks said the most important advice he would give to families and homeowners is to stay prepared in case of a fire emergency.

"Have a home fire escape plan and a safe meeting place once you exit the home, and practice your plan by having annual drills," Parks said. "Working smoke alarms save lives, test your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries when you change your clock for daylight savings. 'Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries.'"