Five Ways to Handle or Prevent Kitchen Fires

Fires in the home are more common than you might think. Children and adults die by the hundreds each year in fires due to smoke inhalation, severe burns and explosions caused by house fires. Here, we will discuss preventing fires in the kitchen. Keep reading to learn five ways to prevent kitchen fires from getting out of control.

Kitchen fires can occur at any time. Someone could be cooking and fall asleep. Or, an appliance could prove faulty and cause a kitchen fire. Since they can happen to anyone at any time, it is best to be prepared for them.

1. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Some of us keep them but never check them after we buy them. Most ABC fire extinguishers will work for all kitchen needs. They do have expiration dates. Also it is good to look over the fire extinguisher to learn how to operate one. There won't be time to read the instructions once the fire has started. The thing to remember when operating a fire extinguisher is PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger, and Sweep from side to side.

2. Arm your kids with knowledge. As a teenager I don't think I would know the difference between a grease fire, an electrical fire, and any other type of fire. But, knowing that difference can be the difference between life and death. Never throw water on a grease fire. Smother it with a towel or throw salt on it. Water will spread the fire and burn you. Cut the power to an appliance that is on fire if you can.

3. Call emergency services from a neighbor's telephone. Don't try to use your telephone. Most people who die in fires are overcome by the smoke before the flames ever reach them. Give yourself a chance to survive by leaving the house immediately if the fire spreads.

4. Don't let kids use the stove unsupervised. When they are teenagers, they want to be independent and for the most part, they can handle themselves in the kitchen. But, accidents do happen. It is best if they stick to the microwave oven or takeout when you are not home.

5. Never leave a pan unattended on the stove. I'm referring to a pan filled with oil or butter that is heating up. Too many times people have gotten busy with something else and forgot the pan was even on the stove. I have a habit of turning the burner all the way up so the pan will heat faster. This is not a safe practice. The pan will always heat faster than you think and can potentially start a fire.

Kitchen fires are some of the more common household fires. They can start because we are so busy doing fifty other things. Once started, trying to extinguish them the wrong way can lead to severe injury or death. Learn how to stay safe.