Fire Prevention in the Kitchen
EACH YEAR,
KITCHEN FIRES kill hundreds of people and injure thousands in North America.
Most of these fires can be
prevented by following these basic fire safety tips.
Don't leave cooking unattended
Never leave food cooking on your stove or in your oven when you leave home. Stay in
the kitchen whenever anything is cooking. Turn off stoves and appliances promptly when
you're finished using them and unplug electrical appliances when they are not in use.
Never leave food cooking on your stove or in your oven when you leave home. Stay in
the kitchen whenever anything is cooking. Turn off stoves and appliances promptly when
you're finished using them and unplug electrical appliances when they are not in use.
Keep appliances clean
Built-up grease catches fire easily. Wipe appliance surfaces after spills and clean stove
surfaces and ovens regularly.
Wear close-fitting sleeves
Loose sleeves can dangle too close to hot stove burners and catch fire. Protect yourself
by wearing sleeves that fit snugly, or by rolling up your sleeves securely when you cook.
Don't store things on or above your stove. Clothing can catch fire when you lean over
stove burners to reach shelves.
Keep flammable objects clear of the stove
Pot holders, dish towels,
and curtains catch fire easily. Keep such items at least three feet (one meter) from your
stove.
Don't overload electrical outlets
Plugging too many kitchen appliances, especially heat-producing appliances such as
toasters, coffee pots, waffle irons, or electric frying pans, into the same electrical
outlet or circuit could overload your circuit, overheat, or cause a fire. Keep
heat-producing appliances away from walls or curtains. Replace any frayed or cracked
electric cords immediately. Never use appliance cords with a cracked, loose, or damaged
plug. Keep your home's fuse or circuit breakers in good working order.
Plugging too many kitchen appliances, especially heat-producing appliances such as
toasters, coffee pots, waffle irons, or electric frying pans, into the same electrical
outlet or circuit could overload your circuit, overheat, or cause a fire. Keep
heat-producing appliances away from walls or curtains. Replace any frayed or cracked
electric cords immediately. Never use appliance cords with a cracked, loose, or damaged
plug. Keep your home's fuse or circuit breakers in good working order.
If an electrical appliance gets wet
inside, have it serviced before using it again.
Operate microwaves safely
Microwave ovens stay cool, but what's cooked in them can be very hot. Use pot holders
when removing food from microwave ovens. Remove lids from packaged microwave foods
carefully to prevent steam burns and test food temperature before eating.
Microwave ovens stay cool, but what's cooked in them can be very hot. Use pot holders
when removing food from microwave ovens. Remove lids from packaged microwave foods
carefully to prevent steam burns and test food temperature before eating.
Turn pot handles inward
A pot handle sticking out over the edge of your stove can be bumped in passing or grabbed
by a child. Prevent burns and stovetop fires by always turning pot handles in toward the
back of the stove. Enforce a "Kid-Free Zone" to keep children at least three
feet (one meter) away from the stove.
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Heat oil slowly
Heat cooking oil slowly over moderate heat and never leave hot oil unattended.
Heat cooking oil slowly over moderate heat and never leave hot oil unattended.
If a grease fire starts, smother it
Never pour water on a cooking fire. If a pan of food catches fire, carefully slide a lid
over the pan and turn off your stove burner. Keep the lid on until completely cooled. If a
fire starts in your oven, close the oven door and turn off the heat source. If the flames
do not go out immediately, call the fire department.
Close
the door on microwave fires
If
anything catches fire in your microwave, keep the door closed and turn
off or unplug the microwave. Opening the door will only feed oxygen to
the fire. Do not use the oven again until it is serviced.
Portable
fire extinguishers
Portable
fire extinguishers can be effective in fighting small, contained fires.
Extinguishers are identified by the type, or class, of fire they can put
out.
Class
A:
Ordinary combustibles (paper, wood, cloth)
Class
B: Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil, grease,kerosene)
Class
C:
Energized electrical equipment (wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers,
machinery)
Your
extinguisher must be appropriate for the type of fire being fought. If
you use the wrong type of extinguisher, you can endanger yourself and
make the fire worse.
Multi-purpose
extinguishers, labeled ABC, may be used on all three classes of fires.
In some cases, it may be dangerous to use any type of extinguisher. For
example, an extinguishing agent released under pressure could spread a
grease fire in a frying pan instead of putting it out. Read directions
carefully.
First
aid for burns
Run cool
water over a burn for 10 to 15 minutes. This will minimize skin damage
and ease the pain.
Never
apply butter or other grease to a burn. If the burned skin is blistered
or charred, see a doctor immediately.
Stop,
drop,and roll
If your
clothing catches fire, do not run. STOP where you are, DROP to the
ground, cover your face with your hands, and ROLL over and over to
smother the flames. If someone else's clothes catch fire, push them to
the ground and roll them over and over, or smother the flames with a
flame-resistant blanket or carpet.
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