Kitchen fires account for 62% of accidental dwelling fires, making it by far the number one cause of household fires.
The fatality rate for fires originating in the kitchen is relatively low, with only 40 deaths in the year 2013-14. This is out of 21,577 fires during the same period.
However, it also has one of the highest rates of casualties, with 4,125 people receiving non-fatal injuries.
There are many ways in which a fire could start in the kitchen, so you need to make sure you’re taking measures to reduce the likelihood of this happening in yours. But it is also necessary that you are prepared, in case the worst should happen.
Here are some tips for preventing and fighting a kitchen fire in your home.
Good Kitchen Etiquette
Firstly, you should never leave food cooking unattended, even if you’re just going off for a moment to answer the door or a call of nature. Turn the oven down and take pans off the hob.
But also small hands, and even some pets, can become too inquisitive. When you’re there, you can keep a watchful eye on them. But childproof latches and covers are ideal for stopping accidents from happening.
Take care of all your electrical appliances as well, because the kitchen is full of them. Avoid keeping toasters and kettles under cupboards to prevent combustion from heat build-up.
And avoid using dishwashers, washing machines, and tumble dryers when you’re asleep or away from home. Make sure you check all your appliances regularly for any signs of damage.
Install A Heat Alarm
It’s important to have in place some warning method should a fire ever break out. That’s why we all install a series of smoke alarms around the home.
But in the kitchen, make sure you install heat alarms. They are far less prone to false alarms from steam, and won’t sound at the faint smell of burnt toast.
Instead, a heat alarm monitors dramatic and rapid changes in temperature. But just make sure you place smoke alarms elsewhere in your home.
Keep An Extinguisher Nearby
It’s essential that you have the right extinguishers for your kitchen’s needs. Hot, splattering oil is very dangerous and can get out of control quickly.
With any fire involving oil, fat or grease, it’s vital that you don’t use water to try and put out the fire. In a commercial kitchen, you’d be required to have a wet chemical extinguisher, especially if the kitchen contains fryers.
However, it’s a bit much to expect you to have one in your kitchen at home.
But there are other alternatives. For example, the Tundra kitchen extinguisher is compact and easy to use.
That means you haven’t got to sacrifice lots of valuable space and everyone knows how to use it as it works like your ordinary aerosol. Plus, it’s safe to use on fires involving wood, paper, fabric, plastic and oil.
The Trusty Kitchen Blanket
These should be an essential in every kitchen, and are also safe for use on any small fire.
Install on the wall so everyone can quickly grab it when they need it. Then all you need to do is carefully place it over the flames.
Leave it alone for some time, and it should starve the fire of the oxygen it needs to keep burning. Just ensure it is fully extinguished and cooled down before tending to it.
But they also have other uses. For example, when wrapped around you, they could keep you safe from the flames if you’re needing to escape your burning home.
Of course, we hope you never, ever have to use any of this equipment. But it’s good to know they’re there when you need them most, like a trusty old friend.
