The kitchen is the heart of the home – but it can also be the most dangerous room in the house. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and fire-related injuries. The good news is that most of these fires were entirely preventable with proper precautions and a bit of proactive planning.
There are a lot of things you can do to safeguard your home against kitchen fires, and understanding where you can make changes can help make your home safer and more secure. Fire restoration in Denver can help return your home back from some of the damage, but the loss of property and the mental anguish can be avoided in a number of situations. From everyday habits to long-term safety upgrades, we’ll look at the variety of ways you can protect your loved ones and your property from the potentially devastating impact of a kitchen fire.
Why Kitchen Fires Are So Common
To understand how to prevent common kitchen fires, it’s important to understand what makes these occurrences so prevalent. The number one cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking. It only takes a few moments for oil or food to ignite if left unattended. Overheated oil or grease can also cause a lot of issues. Grease fires can start suddenly and are very difficult to extinguish with water.
Clutter like dish towels, paper towels, or packaging left near the stovetop can catch fire, and malfunctioning or poorly maintained kitchen appliances can also spark or overheat. Don’t discount other daily distractions from causing kitchen fires, as well. Phones, visitors or company, and multitasking all may increase the risk of forgetting something on the stove. By recognizing some of these risks, you can take deliberate steps to reduce them.
Never Leave Cooking Unattended
The simplest and most effective way to prevent a kitchen fire is to remain in the kitchen while you’re cooking. This is especially true if you’re frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling – since these tasks have the chance to boil over or ignite food if cooked even a few moments too long. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove or ask someone to watch your food. Set timers as reminders, particularly when slow-cooking or baking. If you’re working in the kitchen, avoid multitasking. Cooking is not the time to answer emails or take on that long phone call.
Keep Flammable Items Away from Heat
Anything that can burn should be kept far from the stovetop or other cooking appliances. This includes oven mitts and pot holders, as well as dish towels and other cloths. These are easily ignitable and care should be taken to keep them far from the flame. Food packaging like cardboard and plastic, as well as other paper products are also easy pickings to be ignition points for fires. Also, if you use wooden utensils, they can also start on fire if left in heat too long. Make it a habit to clear your cooking area before turning on the heat.
Learn How to Handle Grease Safely
Grease fires are uniquely dangerous because they cannot be put out with water. In fact, pouring water on a grease fire can cause a violent eruption of flames. Never leave hot oil – or oil that’s heating up – unattended. Use a thermometer when deep frying to monitor the temperature with oil. It’s also crucial to never overfill pans with oil.
In case of a grease fire, you have to take the proper steps or it can get out of control quickly. First, turn off the heat, and then cover the pan with a metal lid or baking sheet to smother flames. Use baking soda (not flour) to extinguish small fires. For larger fires, you should have a Class K fire extinguisher on hand. These extinguishers are designed for kitchen fires, if needed. Never try to move the pan. If it spills, it can spread the fire.
Maintain Your Kitchen Appliances
Faulty kitchen appliances can become fire hazards if not properly maintained. The first and easiest step in this appliance maintenance is to clean regularly. Grease and crumbs inside toasters and ovens can ignite. It’s also important to keep vents clear. Ensure that your range hood and microwave vents are free of blockages. On the appliance itself, look for frayed or exposed wires and replace any damaged cords. When not in use, make sure to unplug appliances like toasters, air fryers, and coffee makers for safety.
Install and Test Smoke Alarms
A working smoke alarm can mean the difference between a small flare-up and a major fire. Install smoke alarms in or near the kitchen. Ideally, they should be placed at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances to prevent false alarms. Be sure to test your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once per year. The alarms themselves should be replaced every 10 years, and consider alarms with hush buttons or smart features to reduce nuisance alarms without compromising your home’s safety.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher on Hand
Every kitchen should be equipped with a fire extinguisher – and everyone in your household should know how to use it. Make sure to select the right type of extinguisher for your home. Class B extinguishers are for flammable liquids (like grease or oil), and Class K extinguishers are specifically designed for commercial kitchen and grease fires. Multipurpose extinguishers (with the ABC labels) will work for most types of household fires, but remember that Class B is for flammable materials.
Every member of your family or resident that lives in the home should understand proper use of the extinguisher. Because time is typically of the essence when it comes to kitchen fires, an efficient way to remember proper extinguisher use is the PASS method. This acronym stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. First, Pull the pin. Second, Aim low at the base of the fire. Next, Squeeze the handle; and finally, Sweep the extinguisher from side to side. Make sure to check the gauge regularly to make sure it’s still pressurized and in working condition.
Keep Your Cooking Space Clean & Organized
A cluttered or dirty kitchen is not just unpleasant – it can also be much more dangerous. Make sure to clean grease off of stovetops and range hoods regularly. Empty crumb trays from toasters and toaster ovens. Wipe up spills promptly, especially near the stove. Store oils and cooking alcohol away from the stove, as well.
Be sure to watch your clothing when you’re cooking, too. Loose clothing can easily catch fire if it comes into contact with a burner or hot surface. When cooking, wear short of close-fitting sleeves and avoid any dangling jewelry or scarves. If you have long hair, tie it back, and always use an apron that snugly fits around your body.
Be Cautious When Cooking with Kids
Children are naturally curious and may want to help in the kitchen – but they need to be supervised and instructed on kitchen safety. The kitchen can be fun for kids, and they might want to help out with cooking. Establish a “kid-free” zone that is at least three feet from the stove or oven. Always keep hot food out of reach, and turn pot handles inward to prevent accidental spills. If you have older children that want to get interested in the cooking itself, teach them how to safely use microwaves and basic appliances.
Practice Safe Microwave Use
Speaking of microwaves, they are also a common source of small fires – particularly when metal is accidentally placed inside or food gets overheated. Never put metal, foil, or other non-microwave safe containers in the microwave. When cooking popcorn or dried foods, keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t get overcooked. Always let foods cool before removing them to avoid steam burns or spills.
Know What to Do in Case of a Fire
Even with the right precautions, accidents happen. Knowing what to do during a kitchen fire can save your home, and potentially your life. If the fire is small, be sure to cover the flames with a metal lid, turn off the burner, and use a fire extinguisher or baking soda. If the fire is out of control, get out of the house immediately and close the doors behind you to contain the fire. Call 911 from outside and make sure to never re-enter a burning building.
A fire escape plan can be critical for any household, but is especially important in homes with children or elderly occupants. Make sure to include two ways out of every room, and set up a designated meeting spot outside. Install a practice schedule where you run fire drills a couple of times per year. It’s also important that all family members have knowledge of how to check doors for heat and stay low to avoid smoke. Make sure everyone in the house knows what to do and where to go in case of fire.
Kitchen fires are a serious problem that cause countless dollars in damage and untold emotional anguish. They can be prevented by following the right steps. For more information, reach out to the experts at Pure Restore today.
