Cooking Carefully to Prevent a Kitchen Fire

Cooking at home occurs almost every day. However, it obviously comes with fire risks. Accidents in the kitchen can often result from flare-ups during food preparation or due to oven, burner, electrical or gas connection defects. To avoid experiencing painful burn injuries or causing fire-related property damage in the kitchen when you prepare meals, follow these techniques.

Kitchen Fire Prevention Tips

• Wear tight-fitting clothing that cannot drape over flames or into pans.
• If you have long hair, tie it back.
• Do not place oven mitts, hand towels or hot pads on or near the range.
• When you are done cooking, double-check to make sure that all appliances are turned off.
• Never turn your back or leave the kitchen while cooking something on the stove.
• Unplug portable appliances when they are not in use.
• Never place metal dishes or tin foil into the microwave, as it can cause sparking. If your microwave does spark without metal inside, turn it off and unplug it.
• When cooking on your range, turn on the vent hood fan to minimize any smoking.
• If your gas range does not light on its own, be extremely careful when lighting it.

In the Event of a Fire

• Turn off the gas or electrical appliance that is fueling the flames, if possible.
• If the fire is in a pan on your range, cover the pan with its lid or a baking sheet. If this does not work, use a fire extinguisher or sprinkle baking soda on the pan.
• If you are cooking with oil and it catches fire, do not pour water on the flaming pan. This will make the fire worse.
• If the fire becomes uncontrollable, evacuate your home immediately and call 911.

Take Care of Your Appliances

Be sure to take care of your kitchen appliances by keeping them clean, conducting routine maintenance and making repairs or replacements as needed. Also, keep in mind that appliances that spark or give you shocks may be defective. Be sure to consult a qualified professional for further assistance if you come across this problem with any of your appliances.

For more personal risk management guidance and homeowners insurance solutions, contact us today 910.762.8551 or email us insurance@wellsins.com