Fire Safety Tips For Your Kitchen

4/15/2019 (Permalink)

Putting safety first in your kitchen is one thing that you can do to prevent a house fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the number one cause of home fires with unattended cooking being associated with the majority of these fires. Here are some tips from the National Fire Protection Association to follow in your kitchen:

1. Be cautious and alert! If you are ill, intoxicated or sleep deprived, don’t use the oven or stovetop.
2. Use a timer to remind you to check on your food regularly. Also, remain in the kitchen while broiling or cooking food on the stovetop.
3. Keep flammable items like curtains, wooden utensils, food packaging and oven mitts away from your stovetop.
4. Don’t leave hot oil unattended. When you are frying food, it’s important to always have someone watching as hot frying oil can become a dangerous situation quickly. Slowly heat the oil to the temperature you need for sautéing or frying. If the oil becomes too hot, turn the heat down or carefully remove the oil from heat immediately. Wisps of smoke are one sign that the oil is too hot.
5. Keep a lid beside the pan while you cook. If the pan catches fire, slide the lid over the pan and shut off the burner. Leave the lid on and let the pan cool.
6. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and make sure you know how to use one. It’s also important to use the correct type of extinguisher for the fire you’re fighting.  Find these tips and more on the NFPA website!