Fire Safety Essentials for Every Host

Home cooking fires typically arise when food is left alone to cook unattended, so use a timer when frying, broiling or boiling something to regularly check on its progress.

If a kitchen fire ever breaks out at your home, call 911 immediately and evacuate immediately – saving lives is more important than saving possessions, which can always be replaced.

1. Get a Smoke Detector

Smoke detectors are an invaluable and cost-effective way to combat fires and save lives. Home services experts advise having at least one working smoke alarm per floor outside sleeping areas and near stairwells.

Multicriteria smoke alarms use photoelectric and ionization sensors to detect fire, eliminating nuisance alarms caused by cooking smoke or shower steam while potentially detecting an outbreak sooner than traditional alarms do.

As part of an effective prevention strategy, regularly test and replace batteries on smoke alarms as well as creating and practicing your escape plan so everyone in the household can leave within two minutes if a fire breaks out.

2. Keep Flammable Items Away From the Stove

Keep flammable items such as dish towels, paper towels and loose clothing away from the stove to reduce fire risks. Also take caution when plugging toasters, waffle irons and other heat producing appliances into one electrical outlet as this could overload it and overheat – potentially leading to overheating that causes an electrical overload and lead to overheating that causes overheating that leads to fire outbreaks.

If possible, cover the fire with a pot lid or metal sheet pan to cut off oxygen and smother it. Also keep a fire extinguisher handy should a kitchen fire break out – and practice having an escape plan with all household members before heading outside!

3. Turn Off the Heat and Consider a Kitchen Fire Extinguisher

Unattended cooking іs the leading cause оf kitchen fires. Never walk away from an active stove оr oven even for a momentary lapse!

Clothing ignition can also lead tо cooking-related fires. Be wary when wearing billowy оr loose clothing near a flame and always roll up sleeves as much as possible.

If a fire ignites, your first priority іs tо turn off the heat source immediately. This could be switching off the oven оr pan burners.  If the fire іs small and contained, you may consider using a kitchen fire extinguisher tо extinguish the flames. However, only attempt this іf you have a working fire extinguisher and feel comfortable using it.

Never attempt tо fight a large оr spreading fire. In such cases, evacuate the kitchen immediately and call 911.

Remember: Never throw water оn a grease fire, as this can worsen the flames. Baking soda can be effective for smothering small grease fires, but using a kitchen fire extinguisher іs often the safest course оf action.

4. Keep Kids and Pets Away From the Stove

Homeowners insurance agencies often see kitchen fires caused by children or animals reaching over to grab hot items off of the stove or fireplace, which should be prevented with extra protection by installing a safety pet gate around both.

Keep combustible items such as dish towels, pot holders and paper products away from the stovetop to prevent fire hazards. Also turn pan handles so they aren’t accidentally bumped or grabbed by children or animals.

If a small fire starts in a pan, don’t try to extinguish it with water; that will only fuel its spread. Instead, use something such as a metal pan lid or sheet of baking soda (not flour) to smother it instead of trying to extinguish it using only liquid means.

5. Install a Fire Extinguisher

Installing a fire extinguisher in your kitchen goes beyond simply fulfilling one more safety measure – it shows your commitment to keeping loved ones protected against unexpected fire hazards that often strike unexpectedly.

Dry chemical fire extinguishers can effectively address Class A, B and C fires; while wet chemical (also known as purple K) extinguishers can help combat cooking oil and fat fires by creating an impenetrable barrier between oxygen and the flames. Make sure your extinguisher is easily accessible in order to maximize effectiveness in any kitchen environment.

6. Keep a First Aid Kit in Your Kitchen

Accidents happen in the kitchen — whether you’re whipping up dinner or reaching for your oven mitts – even with all due care, cutting yourself or burning yourself is always a risk.

That is why it is crucial to keep a first aid kit in your kitchen. A basic first aid kit should include essential supplies such as bandages and sterile wipes that can treat minor injuries quickly, emergency phone numbers, as well as medications you or others take regularly.

7. Have Emergency Fire Blankets on Hand

Emergency fire blanket should be an essential part of every household or business’s emergency plans, as they are essential in quickly extinguishing kitchen fires that might otherwise spread.

Keep your cooking area free from items such as dish towels, pot holders, wooden utensils and paper or fabric food packaging. It is also wise to turn pan handles towards the back of the stove when possible.

Never use water on grease or electrical fires as this could exacerbate them further. Furthermore, teaching children about kitchen safety and practicing prevention measures with them in the home are important as well. Should a kitchen fire occur in your home or business, contact Entrusted immediately for professional fire restoration services that will restore both to their previous conditions.