4 Ways To Prevent Cooking Fires

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

Prevent cook fires.

Reduce the Risk Of a Cooking Fire

Fire departments respond to about 166,000 fires started by cooking equipment every year. These incidents endanger residents and result in over one billion dollars in fire damage. Reduce the risk of a cooking fire by keeping these four tips in mind.

1. Don’t Leave Food Unattended

Even if a recipe takes a while to prepare, you should keep a close watch on food. If you need to leave the room, set a timer and make sure no combustible items are near the stove. Regularly check on food to prevent burning.

2. Keep the Stove Area Clear

Whether you have an electric cooktop with hot burners or a gas stove with open flames, it is important to keep ingredients and other items off the surface of the stove. Avoid storing oven mitts, napkins or towels above the range. This is one of the most important tips for preventing a cooking fire.

3. Use Only Microwave Approved Articles

Make sure any container you intend to microwave is approved for this use. Never heat foil or paper not intended for cooking in a microwave. If you are preparing packaged food, remove any materials that are not intended to be heated.

4. Stay Cautious With Grease and Oil

Grease and oil cause some of the hottest and most damaging kitchen fires. Slowly heat fats to a safe temperature before carefully adding food. Avoid introducing moisture to hot oil and never fry food that is still frozen. Fire extinguishers can cause a grease fire to spread. Safely smother flames by dousing with baking soda and salt or covering a pot or pan with a metal lid or cookie sheet.

These tips can help home cooks prevent fires. Make sure your kitchen is equipped with a working smoke detector. If a fire breaks out and damages a residence in Tulsa, OK, contact a mitigation and restoration service.