Preventing Cooking Fires

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires can get out of control quickly.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in a July 2020 report, fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 172,900 home structure fires per year caused by cooking from 2014 to 2018.  According to this report, these fires resulted in an average of 550 deaths, 4820 injuries and over $1 billion in property damage per year!  

As we approach the holiday season, it is important to take proper safety precautions to prevent these fires from happening in the first place.  

Never leave cooking unattended.  

Supervise young children and pets in the kitchen, especially around the stove.

Be extra cautious when placing anything on the stove, especially combustible items such as towels, as stove tops can remain hot enough, or they can be ignited by a gas pilot and cause a fire well after the burners are turned off.

Check the oven prior to turning it on.

Be careful of loose fitting clothing and long sleeves that can catch fire.

Have a fire extinguisher readily available in case of an emergency.

Keep stovetops and ovens clean.

To learn more about kitchen fires and fire prevention, check out nfpa.org for more information.