Kitchen Cooking Safety: 3 Tips

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Protect your kitchen and the rest of your home from the destructive nature of fire damage by educating yourself on kitchen fire safety best practices.

“The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking,” according to the National Fire Protection Agency. They also report that the appliance most commonly involved in kitchen fires is your stovetop, but kitchen fires can stem from a variety of sources if improperly monitored. Altogether eliminating the possibility of an unwanted fire igniting is virtually impossible, but you can best protect your kitchen and the rest of your home from the destructive nature of fire damage by educating yourself on kitchen fire safety best practices. Continue reading to learn more about 3 of the NFPA’s cooking fire safety tips.

1. Don’t Stray Too Far from the Kitchen

There are different recommendations based on what kind of cooking activity you are conducting in the kitchen. Stovetop activities, such as frying, boiling, broiling, and grilling, require you to stay in the kitchen for the entire process so that you can monitor the area and take action immediately if a fire ignites. If a situation arises that requires you to leave the kitchen for any amount of time, it is strongly advised that you turn the stove off completely. Contrastingly, cooking activities that require more cooking time, including roasting, baking, and simmering, may be safe to leave the kitchen, but only for short periods of time. If you must leave the kitchen, it is a good idea to regularly check in and set a timer in order to decrease the risk of fire.

2. Know What to Do When an Oven Fire Occurs

We’ve discussed what to do in the event of a stovetop fire, but what is the best course of action for dealing with an oven fire? Suppose something that you’re baking catches fire in your oven. The NFPA suggests that you turn the heat off as soon as possible and do not open the oven door until the fire is extinguished. Opening the door may facilitate the spread of the fire. If the fire does not go out on its own, call 911 immediately.

3. Keep Your Cooking Area Clear of Flammable Objects

All around your cooking area, you may possibly find a wide variety of flammable objects that are not necessarily out of place. By an oven, there are usually oven mitts, which are flammable, as well as towels and wooden utensils. These are all helpful tools when cooking, but they can also facilitate the quick spread of an unwanted fire in the event that one ignites. In order to prevent any unwanted fires from spreading, it is beneficial to keep flammable kitchen objects and tools tucked away, stored in cabinets or drawers when not in use. 

Experienced a Fire? Call SERVPRO

No matter what kind of fire your home or business may experience, know that SERVPRO of Metro Pittsburgh East is just a call away. If your property sustains fire damage to any degree, call us at (412) 672-5400 for immediate assistance. Here at SERVPRO, we are committed to making your property damage “Like it never even happened.” By visiting our website, you can also learn more about our Fire Damage Restoration services, tailored to both residential and commercial properties in order to best meet your needs. Additionally, you can find more information about our other fire-related cleaning services, including Odor Removal and Deodorization. Be sure to also check out our best Fire Damage Tips.