Cooking Safety Tips

As part of our Summer of Safety outreach, this week's theme is Cooking Safety.  Cooking related fires are the number ONE cause of fires locally and nationally!

Below, please find some important tips to help prevent this all too common cause of fire!

* Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended, and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires. Three in every 10 reported home fires start in the kitchen - more than any other place in the home.

* Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (i.e. potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).

*Keep children and pets away from cooking areas by creating a three-foot (one-meter) "kid/pet-free zone" around the stove.

* Turn pot handles inward so they can't be bumped and children can't grab them.

* Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup which can ignite.

* Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.

* Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.

* Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. You may also use baking soda. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen, actually spreading the fire.

* If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

* Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential, whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.

* If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave - If safe to do so. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location. Remember that food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings carefully to prevent steam burns.

* Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house. Make sure all other appliances are turned off.

It's Fire Prevention Week! Prevent Kitchen Fires!

It is that time of year again.  NO not pumpkin spiced latte time at your local favorite coffee shop!  Now through this Saturday, October 12 is FIRE PREVENTION WEEK!

This years theme is - Prevent Kitchen Fires!  In Montgomery County, as well as nationally, most fire occur in kitchens than in any other part of the home.

To learn more, please go here:  Prevent Kitchen Fires

Extinguishing a Pan Fire

Over the last two years many of you were made aware of a YouTube Fire Safety video from the UK which recommended placing a wet towel over a pot/pan fire to extinguish the fire. I received, and continue to receive, many inquiries asking about this and what I recommend. I was, and still am, very much opposed to this method of dealing with a cooking related pot/pan fire.

Cooking related fires are, by the way, the number one cause of fire both here in the County as well as nationally.

Yesterday, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) came out with a position statement on this method -which I strongly agree with - and I have included it below for your information and reference.

Extinguishing a Pan Fire

NFPA discourages the use of a damp towel to extinguish a pan fire. The damp towel method adds additional time to extinguish the fire – getting the towel, wetting it, and wringing it out. Placing the towel on a pan fire may result in tipping the pan, missing the pan or not completely covering the pan; thus putting the home owner at increased risk for burns, clothing catching fire and the spread of fire. This technique is also questionable because the type of material or a cloth not completely wet could have a different outcome. NFPA recommends staying in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop. Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool. When in doubt, get everyone out of the home and call the fire department.

Thanks and Be SAFE!

Bill