Cooking Safety: How to Prevent Kitchen Fires

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

Frying is still the leading activity associated with cooking fires.

Common Causes of Kitchen Fires

Cooking fires are the leading cause of fire damage in Gladstone, MO. In fact, the US Fire Department estimates that over 160 000 house fires occur in the United States annually. The majority of them start when flaming food ignites combustible household items such as paper, plastics or curtains.
Here are common causes of kitchen fires:

• Leaving cooking food unattended
  
• Having combustibles too close to the fire
  
• Equipment malfunction
  
  

Keep an Eye on Cooking Food
Unattended food remains to be the #1 cause of house fires in the nation as food can burst into a big flame when it burns enough. A grease fire, for example, can be easily put out if you are in the kitchen when it starts, but it can get out of hand if it happens while you’re away.

Never Dump Hot Grease in a Garbage Can
It is worth noting that grease can only take so much heat. Smoking is the first sign that it has reached the tipping point and is about to catch fire. Tossing this hot grease could burn something in the trash and result in a fire. Instead, wait for it to cool then put it in an old coffee can before disposing of it. That is one of the overlooked tips that could save you from a fire incident.

Be in a Condition to Cook
Never try to cook under the influence of alcohol. You are obviously slower when intoxicated, and the chances of leaving the cooking food unattended are incredibly high. The same applies to people who are feeling exceedingly sleepy or those who take mind-altering medication. You might not hear about it a lot, but this is one of the most important fire prevention tips.
While cooking might seem hazardous, avoiding it is a bit extreme. Just follow these fire prevention tips religiously, and you will have zero issues.