Cooking Fires
Cooking fires remain the number 1 cause of fires throughout the U.S. The same holds true in Minnesota where 74% of all structure fires are in residential homes; 45% of those fires are caused by cooking.
Safety Tips for Cooking
Grease Fire
Safety Tips for Cooking
- Do not leave the kitchen while food is on the stove top.
- Continuously check items baking in the oven.
- Don’t cook if you are sleepy, been drinking excessively or have taken medication that makes you drowsy.
- Keep all combustibles away from your stove top.
- Wipe spills and clean your oven. Built up grease and food can catch fire.
- Turn pot handles in so you can’t bump them or be grabbed by curious kids.
- Open microwave food slowly and let it cool before eating. Remember it may be cool on the outside but very hot inside.
- Don’t wear loose clothing or reach across a hot surface.
- Keep kids and pets out of the kitchen when cooking.
- Have baking mitts and pot holders available to handle warm pots, pans and utensils.
- Make sure the oven mitt or pot holder is not damp. It could produce a scalding steam when it comes in contact with a hot surface.
- Make sure the mitt or pot holder doesn’t have holes that could expose your skin.
Grease Fire
- If a pan of food catches fire prevent flare ups by leaving the pan covered until it is completely cool.
- Do not throw water on the fire! This could splatter the burning grease and spread the fire.
- Carefully cover the fire with a lid by sliding it on the pan. Turn off the heat source and let it cool completely before trying to handle it.
- Use a fire extinguisher very carefully and don’t get too close to the fire. The powder is discharged under pressure and may spread the fire if it is used too close.
- Report the fire even if you think you have it extinguished. There will be plenty of smoke form the fire that will need to be removed.
- Evacuate the house as soon as your safety is compromised.
- Turn off the heat and leave the oven door closed.
- Report the fire immediately.
- If there is anything combustible close to the oven, relocate it if it is safe to do so.
- Evacuate the house as soon as your safety is compromised.
- Have the appliance serviced before reusing it.
- Keep the door closed and unplug the microwave.
- Report the fire right away.
- Evacuate the house as soon as your safety is compromised.
- Have the appliance serviced before reusing it.
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