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More house fires happen in the kitchen than in any other room, according to the American Red Cross. Although it is almost impossible to eliminate all fire risk in the kitchen – the main kitchen appliance uses heat and flames, after all – there are several precautions you can take to avoid a conflagration. In case of a kitchen fire, here are a few simple ways to extinguish it, along with some sound advice on what to do next. How to Put Out a Fire in the Kitchen If a fire ignites in your kitchen, you literally have seconds to act. It is always safest to get everyone out and call the fire department without delay. If the fire is inside the oven or microwave, turn off the appliance but do not open the door. The lack of oxygen should cause the fire to go out, however if it keeps smoking for more than a short time, call 911. If a pot or pan ignites, use a hot pad to remove the pan from the burner then quickly place a metal lid or baking sheet over it to smother the fire. Never use water on a grease fire and never slap at the fire using a towel or oven mitt. Don’t hesitate to break out your fire extinguisher, because it’s cheaper to clean up a mess than to repair fire damage. How to Avoid a Kitchen Fire The U.S. Fire Administration reports unattended cooking as the main cause of kitchen fires. To avoid accidental house fires: • Install a smoke detector near your kitchen and keep a fully charged fire extinguisher in easy reach at all times; • Never leave anything unattended on the stove, especially if you are frying or using high heat; if you leave the kitchen, turn the burner(s) off; • Use a timer to signal when food is done; • Don’t wear loose clothing when you cook, and keep kids and pets at least 3 feet from the stove at all times; • Turn pot handles inward, toward the center and back of the stove; • Keep a pan lid or baking sheet close by to smother a fire if one breaks out; • Clean grease and spills in and around burners and the oven; • Don’t use the stove top for temporary storage of anything; and • Clear away all decorations, curtains, pot holders, silk plants, etc. that you may have on top of the cabinets or countertop near the stove. Finally, always check the stove burners and oven before going to bed or leaving the house to make sure they are off. What to Do if You’ve Had a Kitchen Fire Once the fire is out, you will need to evaluate the extent of the damage. At a minimum, there is probably smoke damage. If chemical extinguishers or water were used to put out the fire, damage may be extensive to the drywall, appliances and other electronics. Smoke easily permeates drywall, upholstery and even your home’s ventilation system. Unless it was a tiny, brief fire, you may not have the equipment or skills to remediate the damage. Contact a local fire restoration company for an assessment. Most can provide board-up services, water extraction and advise you on what you need to fix. The trauma caused by any fire can be significant. Allowing an experienced professional to handle the damage clean-up can ease some of the trauma of the extremely stressful event.
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