Posted by QuickReadAbout.com Staff in Thousands of home fires start in the kitchen each year, injuring and killing homeowners and residents. Since fire prevention is the key to keeping safe, we’ll look at some ways you can avoid home fires starting in the kitchen. While some of these safety tips sound very basic, the truth is that, much of the time, these are the things that lead to home fires that start in the kitchen.
Watch Your Pot!
They say a watched pot never boils but an unattended one is a fire waiting to happen. It’s too easy to get distracted and forget about the stove altogether if you’re in another room so make it a strict rule to stay in the kitchen while anything is on the stove. Also, supervise kids at all times when they are cooking and teach them safe kitchen practices. Don’t allow older children to cook after you’ve gone to bed for the evening; set a time when the kitchen is closed for the night.
Fire Extinguishers
Your home should be equipped with working fire extinguishers at all times, and there should be one in the kitchen also. Teach everyone in the household, including children how and when to use fire extinguishers and check them periodically to make sure they are in good working condition. Also, keep baking soda handy and teach your children how to quickly extinguish a grease flare-up using baking soda.
Grease Free Zone
Make your kitchen a grease free zone. Not only should grease not be allowed to build up on the stove or burners, but appliances and other surfaces, including cabinets, should be wiped frequently to avoid the build-up of grease, which can catch fire quickly.
Dress Appropriately
While there’s not exactly a strict dress code to adhere to when cooking, use common sense when it comes to the clothing you wear while cooking. Loose-fitting, billowy caftans are comfortable, but make a poor choice of clothing to wear while cooking. Pay special attention to sleeves and wear only sleeves that are close fitting and teach your children the same. It only takes a moment for a sleeve or another part of your clothing to catch fire while you are reaching to turn off a burner or reaching across the stove for any reason. Don’t slip into the habit of rolling your sleeves up or holding on to them while you are reaching. Instead, set a good example and keep yourself safe by wearing close fitting clothing in the kitchen.
Handling Your Pots
Another very basic fire prevention tip in the kitchen that is overlooked far too often is simply turning your pot handles inward, never allowing them to protrude over the edge of the stove. It’s just too easy to bump a pan or handle as you walk by or even while stirring or attending to dinner. Fires and severe burns can be easily prevented with this one simple step.
The above is just a small sampling of common sense practices that will help you to avoid kitchen fires and burns. Always practice safety in the kitchen and in other parts of your home as well.