How to Prevent Fires in the Kitchen
Your kitchen at home is viewed by many people as a place for cooking and comfort. It is the place where you prepare delicious meals and indulge in your favorite foods. But the kitchen can also be one of the most dangerous places in your home, quickly turning into a site of damage and devastation.
High temperatures combined with the use of cooking oils and grease can quickly lead to fires of all sizes in the kitchen. If a fire does break out in your kitchen, then you will need to act immediately to not only have the flames extinguished but to have fire damage cleanup done. In the event of a large fire, you will likely need professional help from a fire damage restoration service.
Such help can be avoided, though, if you and others in your home take the necessary actions to prevent kitchen fires.
Wear the Proper Attire
Putting thought into your outfit is something that many people do, but probably not in regard to cooking. However, you should consider what you wear when you cook because certain attire is more suitable for cooking activities than others.
When you are preparing and cooking food, you will likely be moving around quite a bit, handling various ingredients, and working with high temperatures. Because of this, you should wear more fitted clothing that will not get caught on equipment and catch on fire. Avoid wearing loose jewelry as well, make sure sleeves are rolled up, and long hair — if you have it — should be pulled back.
Do Not Leave Active Appliances Unattended
This should go without saying, but never leave the kitchen unattended when you are cooking. Whether you are using the stovetop, the oven, or another appliance, you or another suitable individual should be in the kitchen keeping an eye on the cooking process. This ensures that someone is available to immediately address any potential cooking problems that arise, such as smoking or a boil over.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, most fires occur when the food being cooked gets overheated, so simply having someone there to watch the stove or oven can make a significant difference with fire prevention in the kitchen.
Be Mindful of Equipment Placement
When using pots and pans, it is easy to just put them on the burner and not think twice about their placement. But the handles should always be turned inward away from the edge of the stovetop so that they are not sticking out. When handles are turned outward, it can be easy to accidentally bump into it and knock the pan over, creating a mess or even a fire.
Clean as You Go
From small spills to dirty dishes, take the time to address messes as you cook. Place dirty dishes and utensils you are done using in the sink so they are out of your way. Wipe up spills as they are made as well, especially if they involve oils and grease. You do not want any grease buildup in your oven or on your stovetop because this can make it much easier for a fire to start.
Maintain a Clear and Uncongested Cooking Space
When you are getting ready to cook in the kitchen, clear out and put away any items you won’t be using to ensure you have as clear of a space to work with as possible. You do not want unnecessary things getting in the way while you are preparing food, especially if they are near the stovetop. They will just help create a more frantic environment when you need to maintain focus.
Additionally, if you have any small children or pets in the home, it is best to keep them out of the kitchen. In fact, limit the amount of people who are in the kitchen while cooking. A crowded kitchen can lead to too much going on in a limited space, making it easier for a mishap to occur.
Professional Fire Damage Restoration
If a fire breaks out in your kitchen, your first course of action should be to evacuate the property. Then, get in touch with your local fire department to have the flames put out. Once the fire is out, turn your attention to fire damage cleanup. The harm will only get worse with time — and can become permanent — so do not hesitate to get help.
At ServiceMaster Fire and Water Restoration, we provide professional fire damage restoration services to residential and commercial properties in the Denver, CO, metro area and the surrounding areas in Elbert County. Our complete services include structure stabilization and repairs, fire damage cleaning, smoke and soot damage removal and cleaning, and odor removal. With help from our professional technicians, your home will be safe and clean once again so that you can get back to enjoying your kitchen.
