Are You Prepared to Handle a Kitchen Fire?

Whoever coined the phrase “Men are the head of the household” was most definitely not a mom. If you are a fellow mother, then you know moms are the conquerors of all things that keep the household running. We have tons to worry about- like that science fair project your son has to complete by Friday or the fact that you were not able to get to the grocery store over the weekend.

Because we are so busy taking care of everyone else, it seems impossible for us to slow down and take the proper safety precautions. Many mothers cook dinner for their families several times a week. Kitchen fires total to more than 150,000 in the United States per year, so the odds of you dealing with a kitchen fire are pretty high. Are you prepared to handle a kitchen fire if one occurs in your home?

Grease Fires

Since grease fires heavily outweigh all other types of kitchen fires (by about 9 to 1), I thought this would be a good place to begin.

1. First of all, DO NOT:

• pour water on the fire

• try to take the pan outside or to another location

• pour flour on the fire (Note: Baking soda can be used to put out a grease fire, but you’ll probably need several boxes.)

2. Before cooking, ensure that you have an oven mitt and a lid that fits your pan handy.

3. If the grease catches on fire, put on the oven mitt and then slide the lid over the pan to smother the flames. (DO NOT drop the lid onto the pan as this could make the grease splash or spill from the pan).

4. Turn off the burner and allow the pan to cool down before moving or handling.

Other Types of Kitchen Fires

As a mother, you’re inclined to keep your family and your home safe. So, knowing what to do in all types of fire emergencies is a very safety-friendly notion.

Let’s take a look at these other types of fires:

1. Electrical Fires – As always, never overload your electrical outlet with too many appliances. This should be a common safety practice in all parts of your home. If you encounter an electrical fire in your kitchen (or other parts of your home), DO NOT pour or spray water on it because this will make the fire worse. Instead, put the fire out with a fire extinguisher (which should always be handy in your home), and always call the fire department – even if you’ve already put the fire out.

2. Oven Fires – In the case of an oven fire, simply close the door and turn the oven off. DO NOT attempt to extinguish it with water. In the case of an oven fire, always call the fire department and remember to have your oven inspected for safety and/or replaced before using again.

3. Microwave Fires – If your microwave catches on fire, ensure the door is closed (just like you would with an oven fire), and unplug the appliance. Always have the appliance inspected and/or replaced before using again.

If you are cooking that amazing meal for your family (because, let’s face it, you are Super Mom) and you encounter one of these types of fires, remember to stay calm and follow the steps listed above. Also, never hesitate to call your local fire department in case of a fire, and always make sure that you and your sweet babies are safe and sound.

Bio –

This guest post contribution was made by Atlantic Training located in Delaware. Atlantic Training specializes in safety training videos, fire safety videos and compliance videos.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Have you ever experienced an unexpected fire in your home?

What have you done to prevent a fire in your kitchen?