4 Tips for Responding to a Kitchen Fire

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

Kitchen fire in South Oceanside, CA

Cooking fires account for a large percentage of residential and non-residential fires. Kitchen fires are so common that many children and youth groups offer training on how to react to flames, how to exit safely, and how to use a fir extinguisher. It's important that every South Oceanside,CA, household knows how to respond to a kitchen fire.

Evacuate Your Home

If there's any question of danger, get everyone out of the building as quickly as possible and call the fire department. Don't risk the safety of those you love.

Follow Extinguisher Protocol


When you choose an extinguisher for your home, make sure you have one with a BC or ABC rating. Class A devices hold air-pressurized water, and water should never be used on a grease fire. Make sure you know how to use the extinguisher. The PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Spray) method is easily found with a quick online search.


Reduce Oxygen to the Fire


If flames are coming from the oven, safely close the door and turn off the oven. A tight seal should prevent oxygen from getting to the flames, allowing the fire to burn itself out. Do not open the door again. When flames are coming from a pan on the stove, carefully put a lid over the pan to seal out air.


Don't Use Water


Most fires in the kitchen are grease fires. Throwing water on a grease fire spreads flaming oil throughout your kitchen. In addition to the risk to anyone in the room, this increases the reach of fire damage and makes fire cleanup more difficult. Instead, turn off the source of heat if you can do so safely,) use a fir extinguisher, or dump a lot of baking soda on it. Many households keep a #10 can of baking soda near the range just for this type of emergency.

Before your South Oceanside,CA, family and home are affected by fire, invest in the right type of fir extinguisher. When the flames are gone, fire damage cleanup professionals can help put your home back in order.