They might start off small, but kitchen fires can quickly become a disaster that can create a lot of fire and smoke damage to your home. There’s potential for it to spread throughout the home and injure someone in the fire.
Knowing what to avoid can help prevent kitchen fire and smoke damage in Springfield Missouri and ensure that everyone in the home is safe if a kitchen fire does happen.
Common Causes Of Kitchen Fires
Most of the time, kitchen fires occur when something is left unattended on the stove or if grease builds up in an oven and ignites. A kitchen fire can also happen when electronics like microwaves are in poor condition or if cooking oil spills and ignites.
Putting Out the Kitchen Fire
If a kitchen fire does happen, putting it out immediately is crucial to minimizing fire and smoke damage. If possible, unplug or turn off the heat source. Use a wet towel to smother the fire, then open doors and windows to provide ventilation.
Microwave and Oven
If the microwave or oven catches on fire, turn off the heat source. Use a damp towel or baking soda to cover the flames. Call the Fire Department if the fire is not able to quickly be controlled.
Oil or Grease
Do not throw water on an oil or grease fire, as this will feed the fire. Instead, use a lid or fire blanket to smother the fire. Baking soda can also work. If the fire spreads, call the Fire Department.
Preventing Kitchen Fires
Proper care and paying attention can help prevent a kitchen fire. Never leave food unattended and remain in the kitchen while cooking. If it’s necessary to leave while you’re preparing a meal on the stove top, turn off the heat. Use a cooking timer to make sure food will not be left unattended or burn.
Wipe any spills or messes as soon as they occur and keep the counters free from clutter. Anything flammable, like towels, should be far from the stove. Avoid loose-fitting clothes, so they do not get close to any heat sources and catch on fire.
Make sure grease or oil are cooled before they are disposed of, and do not pour them down the sink while they’re still hot. Wait until they have cooled and pour into a container, then throw it away.
Check Your Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors can help alert the household if there is a fire, but they can’t do their job if they aren’t in working order. Grease rising up from cooking can impact their performance over time.
Test your smoke detectors regularly to make sure they are working properly. If your fire alarm does sound, evacuate the home and call for help. Never disable the kitchen smoke alarm because it goes off too often. If it goes off while cooking, identify the source of the smoke and solve the problem.
Fires in the kitchen are a serious hazard. Knowing what to avoid and how to handle a kitchen fire can help prevent one or minimize the fire and smoke damage done if there ever is a fire.
Never try to fight a kitchen fire yourself if it starts to spread. Seek emergency assistance and let trained firefighters handle the task for you.
If you ever need help with fire and smoke damage from a kitchen fire, call the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration to do the job right.