Fire Safety While Cooking

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

According to NFPA, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve.

Follow these tips to help prevent a fire while cooking:

• Be on alert!- If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• Check it Regularly- If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep flammable items away from the stovetop — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains 

If you have a cooking fire:

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• After you leave- Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number 
• If you try to fight the fire-  be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
• Grease Fires-  Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• Oven fire-  turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Cooking fire facts

Based on 2014-2018 annual averages:

• Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries, causing 49% of home fires that resulted in 21% of the home fire deaths and 44% of the injuries.
• Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
• Clothing is the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but clothing ignitions lead to 8% of the home cooking equipment fire deaths.
• Ranges or cooktops account for three-fifths (61%) of home cooking fire incidents.
• Unattended equipment is a factor in one-third (31%) of reported home cooking fires and over half (53%) of the associated deaths.
• Frying dominates the cooking fire problem.

Damage caused by a fire is devastating for your family and your home. It’s a stressful and confusing time, so you’ll need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Lake Travis / NW Austin has the water and fire damage training and expertise to help you through this tough time. Our professionals will always treat you with respect and empathy, and we’ll always treat your home and belongings with great care.