Kitchen Fire Safety Tips
The kitchen represents the heart of the home. Unfortunately, many households overlook common kitchen fire hazards. The National Fire Protection Association cites cooking fires as the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Kitchen fires kill more than 5,000 people annually in the United States, according to the American Family Insurance website. Following these simple safety measures can prevent most types of kitchen fires. Does this Spark an idea?
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Stoves and Ovens
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Never leave the kitchen while sauteing, frying, broiling or grilling. Turn off the stove or oven if food must be left unattended. When baking or boiling foods, do a regular check to make sure they are cooking properly. Set the oven timer as a reminder to turn off appliances at the end of the cooking process. Never leave home when food is on the stove or in the oven.
When using the stove or oven, the cook must be alert at all times. Do not cook while under the influence of heavy medication or alcohol. Cooking should also be off-limits to those who are overly tired or sleep deprived. Drowsiness might result in impaired judgment and lead to dangerous cooking mistakes.
Microwaves
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Microwave ovens seem relatively safe, but can pose fire hazards as well. Never use a microwave to heat oil. Do not operate a microwave while it is empty. Always use microwave-safe cookware and plastic wrap. Melting plastic poses a fire hazard inside the oven. Never use metal pans or aluminum foil for microwave cooking. The metals cause electrical arcs, which could lead to a short or fire. Some newer microwave models allow for the use of special microwave-compatible metals.
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Combustibles
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Keep surfaces, on or adjacent to the range or cooktop, free of combustible materials. This includes any cloth, plastic, paper or wooden items, such as pot holders, plastic wrap, paper towels and wood utensils. Make sure cooktop surfaces and the oven interior remain free of any grease or food buildup that could flare up. Avoid wearing loose-fitting garments that may come in contact with burners while cooking.
Other Appliance Tips
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Never use appliances intended for outdoor use in the kitchen, like charcoal and gas grills or turkey fryers. This equipment will increase the likelihood of injury or fire if used inside the home. During kitchen construction and renovation, follow the manufacturer and electrical code recommendations when installing built-in ranges, cooktops, microwaves and ovens.
In Case of Fire
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In case of a small grease fire, turn off the burner and smother the pan with a lid large enough to completely cover the flames. Another option involves dousing the fire with baking soda or employing a fire extinguisher rated for kitchen use. Do not attempt to pick up the pan. For larger fires, exit the house and close the door to prevent the fire from spreading. Call 911 when safely outside.
Microwave or conventional oven fires require turning the appliance off. Keep the door closed until the fire goes out on its own and unplug the unit as soon as possible.
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References
- National Fire Protection Association: Cooking
- American Family Insurance: Kitchen Fire Safety
- U.S. Fire Administration: Cooking Fire Safety
- National Fire Protection Association: Cooking Safety Tips
- The Fire Marshall's Public Fire Safety Council: Put a Lid on It
- West Orange Fire Department: Kitchen Fire Safety Tips
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
