Kitchen Fires: Kitchen fires can start fast and spread faster. According to a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) study dated August 31, 2023 “Cooking caused an average of 158,400 reported home structure fires per year (44 percent of all reported home fires in the US). These fires resulted in an average of 470 civilian deaths (18 percent of all home fire deaths) and 4,150 civilian injuries (42 percent of all reported home fire injuries) annually.”
The best way to prevent a kitchen fire from taking everything and everyone in your home is to prepare. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website (https://www.nfpa.org) is a great place to start.
Below is a brief Q & A to start you thinking about preventing and extinguishing a kitchen fire in your home.
Q – How do I extinguish a grease fire?
A – Turn off the heat. Cover the pot with its lid which should always be nearby and always ready to use. If that doesn’t work use properly rated fire extinguisher for grease or kitchen fires.
Q – What are the best ways to prevent an electrical fire in my kitchen?
A – Don’t use extension cords on appliances. Make sure any and all appliances are plugged into a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) rated outlet. They will prevent shock and electrocution. Periodically inspect all your appliance cords to make sure there is no fraying. Don’t overload an outlet or circuit. Overloading can create a heat buildup in your wall causing an arc or spark that could lead to a fire inside your wall.
Q – What if a fire occurs inside my oven?
A – The safest course of action is to turn off the oven door and close the door to contain the fire. If that doesn’t smother the fire grab the fire extinguisher. Even if the fire appears to be out you should call the fire department to make sure the fire didn’t expand beyond the cooking cavity of your oven.
Q – What type of fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires?
A – It’s as simple as ABC. Most commonly available fire extinguishers have an ABC rating and can be used in an electrical fire.
Q – Which of the following actions should be taken to minimize the risk of a fire when frying food in oil?
A – Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature. Add food to the oil slowly to prevent splattering and burning your skin. Don’t overfill your pot with oil. Make sure the oil is at least two inches from the top of the pot when cooking. Don’t overheat the oil. Find out the smoke point for the oil you are using and don’t exceed it. Keep combustible items away from the cooking surface.
Warning: In the event of a fire use as much common sense as you can muster. Don’t be a hero. The second a fire seems to be getting out of control get everyone out of the house and call the fire department. Don’t risk letting the fire trap you inside.
For more information check with your fire department, they may conduct an assessment or suggest a company that can review your home and make suggestions. The Kidde website is also a great source of information. https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/
Fire Blanket: One way to add to your Fire Safety Preparedness is a Fire Blanket. Unlike fire extinguishers they don’t expire. There are many on the market. Here is a link to one company that offers them. https://preparedhero.com/ Please note that supplies can run dry this time of year.
Special thanks to Lynn Walsh of Walsh Communications for helping me with this blog and spearheading our very popular newsletter efforts.
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