Cooking Fire

 

Cooking Fire was the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in 2015-2019 

And for sure there are other common causes of kitchen fires include:  grease, and fats dripping onto hot surfaces; food left unattended while cooking; and spilled liquids.

 

Leading factors in home cooking fires 2013-2017

According to NFPA Report

This data underscores that some types of cooking, such as frying and broiling, need continuous attention. When simmering, baking, or roasting, cooks should stay in the home and check on it regularly.

So, what happened here! 

When your cooking oil gets too hot, oils start to boil at high temperatures, then they’ll begin smoking, and finally they’ll catch on fire as it heats up more. Once the oil has started smoking, Smoke is a warning sign that it’s getting close to catching fire.

 

 

What to do!

•   If you have a fire in the pan, turn off the oven.
• Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan ( with a size big enough )
•  If your oven continues to smoke like a fire is still going on in there, call the fire department.
•  If you can’t safely put the lid on a flaming pan or you don’t have a lid for the pan, use your fire extinguisher. Aim at the base of the fire — not the flames.

So, once again!

1.Turn off the oven

 

 

2.Slide the lid over the pan

                          

 

• And DO NOT USE water or flour which can explode or make the fire worse.
• Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large wet cloth.

       You may also use : 

•       Fire blanket
•       Fire extinguisher

     

      To protect your family and property from the potential damage of a kitchen fire, it is important to take some safety considerations to reduce the risks.

 

Safety considerations:

• Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop

• Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.

• Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing.

• Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.

• Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water on the fire.

•  If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside.

• Keep anything that can catch fire oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains away from your stovetop.

In a next article we're going to write about kitchen safety tips to avoid injuries or fires and specially in presence of children and check out this might help you about Children safety.

 

References:

NFPA:

Safety with cooking equipment | NFPA