How to Minimize the Risk of a Kitchen Fire

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Damage from a fire in a Kansas City kitchen.

Most of us are so at home in our kitchens, we hardly take any notice of any potential risk or problems. Besides burning dinner or having the potatoes boil over, we assume we are fine.

But fires happen in kitchens all the time. In fact, well over half of the fires that start in our homes start in the kitchen. Clearly, we need to be more aware. People can get seriously injured, our homes get damaged or destroyed, and people lose their lives.

How to Minimize the Risk of a Kitchen Fire

There are so many easy ways to make sure we are safe while using our kitchens. So many fires are completely preventable.

Check Smoke Detectors

These are supposed to be checked at least semi-annually for the entire household. Change the batteries in all your detectors and check to make sure they are working.

Don’t Leave Cooking Unattended

It only takes a second for something to go wrong when you are cooking. If you need to leave the room, even for a minute, turn the burners off. Elements won’t cool down very fast, so food will continue to cook, and gas stoves will heat right back up again.

We live in an age where we are constantly distracted. Phones and gadgets can all be attention-grabbers. If you use an electronic device for your recipes, shut off email, texts, and other messaging applications so you won’t lose yourself in the banality.

Keep Area Clean

Grease from cooking can build up on the stovetop, above the stove, and on the backsplash. Wipe these down after each use or at the end of the day. Spilled or dropped food items or liquids can start a fire in seconds, whether you are in the room or not.

Remove things like potholders, tea towels, paper towels, cookbooks, aprons, and the like from coming in contact with the flame, the hot pot, or the burner. These can ignite in a flash and they crumble and bits can go everywhere, starting a larger fire.

Remove all packaging right away from the food you open, the wrappers, the grocery bags, and put them in the garbage. Make sure nothing was spilled from them when they were opened.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Avoid wearing long floppy sleeves with wide wrists, clothing that flows out or can get caught on knobs, handles or pot handles, and tie your hair back. Always use oven mitts or a potholder when touching hot lids or handles. Wear an apron and make sure your feet are covered and comfortable.

Keep Kids Away

Many kids are eager to help out in the kitchen. Give them a task they can safely do and make sure they are seated away from the stove. Always educate them on kitchen safety, heat, knives, appliances, everything.

They can get in and get underfoot, as can the family dog or cat. They are all interested when there is food being prepared. Be aware of where they are to prevent accidents from happening.

Keep a Fire Extinguisher

You should always have a fire extinguisher handy. A small one in the kitchen can save your kitchen and save lives. Baking soda, a lid, and education will help you if you know how to use them, and when.

SERVPRO of Kansas City Midtown

If you do have a fire in your kitchen, contact SERVPRO of Kansas City Midtown. We can clean and restore your home as good as new. We have highly trained fire restoration technicians with all the right tools and knowledge.