Quick Tips for Fire Safety in the Kitchen | SERVPRO® of Temple & Belton

9/6/2023 (Permalink)

Fire extinguisher and cooktop with kettle on the countertop inside home kitchen

We all have our favorite recipes that we love to make, whether they are quick easy mac recipes or fully involved gourmet meals. Either way, we spend a lot of our time in the kitchen making food! It should be no surprise then that the majority of home fires are started in the kitchen. 

Kitchen fires can get out of hand in seconds and cause extensive damage to your rooms or even to your entire home. Knowing what to do when a kitchen fire does break out can help stop the flames in their tracks and prevent widespread damage.

Our fire damage restoration team explains some easy ways to control any flames in your kitchen below, so check it out to learn more. 

Smart Kitchen Tips 

It only takes a few seconds for a kitchen fire to break out, which is why it is crucial that you stay near your heat source. The oven, stove or even the toaster can malfunction and start on fire when you step out for just a second to grab something. 

You should keep a lid nearby for when you are cooking. If a spark or flame starts up in your pan, you can quickly throw the lid over it to smother the flames. 

You should also take steps to reduce the amount of flammable materials in your kitchen. A wandering spark near a kitchen towel or a wooden spoon left too close to a burner is all it takes for a fire to catch and spread. Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen at all times for emergencies like this. 

When a Fire Starts

If a fire does start and you are not able to put it out right away, back away and call 911. Fire can consume an entire room in minutes, and your safety is your top priority. If the fire is relatively contained, you can certainly stay to fight the fire quickly.

Just remember, water should never be used on a grease fire since water can disrupt the hot oil and cause an even bigger problem. Grease fires should always be smothered or put out with a fire extinguisher. If a fire starts in your oven, shut off the heat and DO NOT open the door. Keep it closed to shut off the oxygen supply. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Process 

You extinguished the fire yourself or the fine men and women of the Temple or Belton Fire Departments did it for you. Now the reality of your situation may begin to set in and you might be overwhelmed by the damage in front of you. It’s time to call us to handle your entire restoration!

We will remove damaged debris, clean and sanitize your space, and we can tackle any and all repairs to get your home back to its preloss condition as fast as possible. We can even make sure all of the residual smoke odor has been removed from your home. 

Kitchen fires can cause widespread damage in minutes. Contact SERVPRO® of Temple & Belton for a full recovery.