Preventing Grease Fires in Your Kitchen

Fires can occur in the kitchen with ease. The stove can catch a towel on fire. You can suffer an electrical fire due to an improperly grounded appliance. Grease build-up on surfaces can cause a significant fire that spreads quickly. In most cases, home insurance can help you recover the losses after such an incident. However, there are preventative steps you can take, too. Consider the following:

Recognize the Dangers and Know How to React

Grease is very flammable. It also takes very little to cause grease to build into a fast, intense fire throughout the kitchen. Recognizing this is important. It can help you to take steps to minimize these risks. Here are a few ways to do so.

• If grease spills, clean it up immediately. It is easier to clean up while it is in a liquid state. Wipe the surface, use a mild soap to wash it away, and rinse.
• If you spill grease on a surface, expect it to run down the sides of the cabinets, appliances, and other structures. This means pulling these appliances out or accessing the panels to clean them well.
• Never place towels of any type by the stove. This creates the ideal burning material if a grease fire occurs.

When a grease fire begins, react quickly. You never want to put water on this type of fire. It will not put the fire out, and it can encourage the fire to expand. Rather, your goal is to limit the oxygen capable of reaching the fire. For example, if grease in a pan catches on fire, put a lid on it. Turn off the fuel source, such as the burner.

If there is a fire spreading in the kitchen, use a fire extinguisher. It is best to use an automatic one. The goal is to have a fire extinguisher that sprays foam in your kitchen at all times. And, be sure to train your family on how to use it. If you do not have a fire extinguisher, you can put out a small grease fire using baking soda.

In all situations, be safe. If the fire is larger, get out of the home and call the fire department. If it is small and easy to manage, react quickly. It may be possible to prevent most types of fires in the kitchen by minimizing clutter and keeping cooking surfaces clean.

Also Read: How to Prevent Home Fires