Kitchen Fires

We live in the era of multi-tasking. Have you ever put something on the stove to cook and forgotten all about it until a nasty smell invades your senses or you’re brought up short by the incessant screeching of the smoke alarm? And let’s hope you never get so distracted that you put dinner on to cook and then leave the house!

When I was an 18-year-old newlywed who knew less than nothing about cooking, I experienced what’s called a DRY COOKING FIRE. That’s where the liquid in the pan boils out and scorches whatever you’re cooking. Luckily, these types of “fires” don’t usually cause a lot of damage other than the smoke leaving a residue and an unpleasant odor, but the heat may cause some damage to the surrounding cooking area. I was fortunate – all that happened was the pan was ruined, the apartment stunk to the high heavens for awhile, and my husband got to tease me by telling anyone who’d listen that, yes Virginia, you can burn boiled eggs!

If you experience an OVEN FIRE, it’s normally not too serious because they usually suffocate or can be easily extinguished.

GREASE FIRES, on the other hand, are a serious matter! These start when oil or greasy foods ignite, and the open flames can quickly reach the cabinets or combustibles, causing a major fire. If you can cover the pan with a lid, you may be able to suffocate the fire. Dousing the flames with baking soda may work as well. One thing you never want to do is put water on a grease fire … that will make it splatter and will increase the size of the blaze. Another thing you’ll never want to do is attempt to carry the burning pan outside; it will get too hot and you’ll probably drop it, which will spread the fire even further.

Here are some things you can do to avoid kitchen fires:

1) Make sure you’re not wearing loose-fitting or long-sleeved clothes that could inadvertently rake across the open flame. If you have long hair, pull it back away from your face and don’t use flammable hair products.

2) Keep potholders, boxes, plastic cooking utensils, etc. away from open flames, and place the pot handles so they’re not sticking out where anyone, including children, can bump them or tip them over.

3) Because it’s highly flammable, make sure to keep your cooking areas free of grease.

If you have the misfortune to experience any type of fire, get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible, close the door behind you, and call 9-1-1.


Posted by Colleen C.