Most Home Fires start in the Kitchen

The National Fire Protection Association reports that 2 out of every 5 home fires start in the kitchen and that more than 150,000 fires a year are related to cooking.  Rabun County Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch offers these fire safety tips for the kitchen.  “You always must be alert.  You are not going to be alert if you’re sleepy, if you’ve consumed alcohol, or if you’ve taken any kind of medicine or drugs that make you drowsy.  Always stay in the kitchen when frying, boiling, grilling, and broiling food.  Also, have a kid-free zone at least three feet around the stove.  If you do have a small fire that starts in a pan on the stove, make sure you have a lid nearby when you’re cooking, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan, turn off the burner, don’t move the pan, and to keep the fire from restarting leave the lid on the pan until it is cooled.  Never pour water onto a cooking pan grease fire!  Never discharge a portable fire extinguisher onto a grease fire because it will spread the fire.  In case you have an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed until it’s cooled.  After the fire, the oven should be checked and serviced before being used again.  Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and code requirements when installing, using, or cleaning cooking equipment.”  Microwaves are also a fire danger if used improperly, adds Chief Upchurch.  “You should always plug microwave ovens or cooking appliances directly into a wall outlet.  Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance because it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.  Check any kind of electrical cord for cracks, breaks, damages, or overheating.  Microwaves are a unique cooking thing that we have in our house and they come with some unique things that we need to look at.  You should always place or install the microwave at a safe height within easy reach of all users.  If possible, the face of the person using the microwave should be higher than the front of the microwave oven door to reduce the risk of scolds in case they are getting something out and turn whatever they are heating onto the top of them.  Always supervise children when they are using the microwave oven.  Use only microwave-safe cookware, never aluminum foil or metal objects.  Always open microwave food away from your face as hot steam escapes from the container and the food itself can cause burns.  Never heat a baby bottle in a microwave oven because it heats liquids unevenly.”  Getting out is crucial with any fire, says Chief Upchurch.  “If you do have a kitchen fire, when in doubt just get out.  If the fire is large and you do not feel comfortable smothering it, alert everyone in the home and evacuate immediately.  As you leave, close doors behind you to help contain the fire.  Once safely outside, call 911 from a cell phone or a neighbor’s telephone.”  Please follow these fire safety tips for the kitchen so you and your loved ones don’t become a victim.