Kitchens can be a busy part of your home or business. Cooking food, whether professionally or on your own, can present a lot of fire hazards. Even seasoned professionals sometimes need to be reminded about kitchen fire safety. Electrical appliances, ovens, and stoves can be the source of a fast-growing and dangerous fire. To keep your kitchen safe, follow our kitchen fire safety tips from Code 4 Fire Watch.
Preventing Kitchen Fires
Turn Everything Off When Done Cooking
This may seem obvious, but it is very easy to forget to turn off the stove or oven. Make sure to double, even triple, check stove burners to ensure they are off. If you have a gas stove, make sure that the gas is turned off even if no flame is present. This will prevent carbon monoxide hazards, as well as gas fires.
Keep Pot Handles Facing In
Don’t let pot handles face out when cooking on the stove. It is easy to bump into them and cause burns or fires. Always turn the handle in and make sure it is not being heated by another burner.
Use Oven Mitts or Holders to Prevent Burns
Whenever you grab a pot or pan, it is smart to use a towel or oven mitt. Many times, you can’t tell if a handle is hot. Grabbing a hot handle can cause severe burns and cause you to drop the pan. This is extremely dangerous. Get into the habit of using a potholder or towel to avoid any burns in the kitchen.
Keep Fire Extinguishers and Lids Handy
Fire extinguishers should be the number one item you keep in your kitchen. If a fire breaks out in the kitchen, many people will look for water to extinguish the flame. This is a terrible idea, especially if you are cooking with grease. Putting water on a grease fire will be catastrophic and will cause the fire to get worse. Regularly inspect your fire extinguisher and make sure everyone cooking understands how to use one.
If a fire breaks out in a pan, cover the pot with a lid to smother the flames and use a fire extinguisher to put out any remaining flames. Never use water to put out a grease fire. The next thing you should do is call 911 to ensure the fire hazard is no longer a threat.
Pay Attention!
Paying attention in the kitchen is the best way to prevent fires. Be mindful of what temperatures you are cooking at. Don’t overheat oil to cause it to smoke or ignite. Be aware of what is in your kitchen to ensure other hazards are not present.
Pour Hot Liquids Away from You
Always pour hot liquids away from you. By pouring towards yourself, you can potentially have hot liquids splash on you and cause severe burns. Scalding hot water or oil can easily cause third-degree burns that require immediate medical care. When pouring hot liquids, pour slowly and away from your body.
Keep Your Kitchen Clean and Organized
Keeping your kitchen clean, organized, and free of clutter is another great way to prevent a fire. If items can cause you to trip, you can fall and knock something flammable over. Keep your countertops and cooking appliances clean as well. If you have a glass stovetop, make sure to clean it after each use. Oil or other debris can accumulate on the cooktop and cause smoke or flames the next time it is on. Also, check your oven or burners for any materials that may have accumulated.
Ensure Smoke Detectors Are Working Properly
While it is easy to slightly burn something and set them off, you never want to disable your smoke detectors. Check smoke detector batteries monthly. Smoke detectors are usually the first indication of a fire so you will want to make sure they are always operating.
Keep Flammable Materials Away from Heat
Keep anything flammable away from cooking surfaces or anything else that is hot. Wooden spoons are a common kitchen utensil, but they are also very flammable. Store aerosol cooking sprays away from heat sources as they can explode at an elevated temperature. Ensure that cooking sprays, oils, and alcohol are kept away from heat and flames.
Stay Off the Sauce
Never cook while impaired by substances like alcohol, medications, or drugs. Drinking alcohol while in the kitchen can impair your judgment and coordination. This increases the likelihood of an accident that causes a dangerous fire. If you are taking medications that cause impairment, avoid cooking in the kitchen. Cooking while impaired is not a recipe for success.
Don’t Hesitate to Call 911
If you have a kitchen fire, immediately call 911. Even if you have put the fire out, you should still call 911 as soon as possible. Fires may exist or continue in places that you cannot see until it is too late. Firefighters will come and ensure that the fire hazard has been eliminated.
Ensure Emergency Fire Systems Are Functional
Fire emergency systems save lives. Make sure your smoke detectors, alarms, and fire sprinklers are well maintained and functional. If a fire breaks out in the kitchen, emergency fire alarms will help evacuate the building. Fire sprinklers can help limit the damage of a fire. If your fire emergency system is not functioning, you need to have a fire watch patrol on duty immediately.
While these safety tips may seem obvious, following them can be the difference between a delicious meal and a disaster. Proper fire safety should be exercised every time you are in the kitchen. This will protect your home, business, and yourself. For more information on fire safety, contact Code 4 Fire Watch!
