Why do kitchen fires start? In the case of restaurants, there are several reasons, including fat deposits in the flue and ventilation ducts, older, highly flammable oil in the deep fryer, and having too high a temperature in the fryer.
Fires start when there’s heat, air and fuel involved. All three have to be involved for a fire to happen, so if you remove one of those things, there won’t be a fire. However, most kitchens– commercial or otherwise–have all three present.
So, what can you do to avoid fires in the kitchen at home or at work?
Always Be Attentive Before, During, and After Cooking
First and foremost, be vigilant. You never want to leave the cooking area unattended, even for a minute. Fires could happen at any time, and if you’re out of the room “just for a second,” you might miss the chance to contain a fire before it gets out of control.
Next, check the food on the stove or in the oven/fryer often to make sure it’s not on fire. Adjust the temperature as needed so nothing gets out of hand.
Be careful about what you wear around a heat source. Loose clothing could easily catch fire if it’s in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Finally, before you leave a room, whether it’s to go to sleep, go out of the house, or simply because your cooking is finished, you should check to make sure you turned the stove/oven totally off and that any buildup of heat has dissipated.
Keep the Stove Area Clean and Free From Buildup
Grease is typically the cause of kitchen fires, so do what you can to minimize its presence around the stove or oven. Don’t let grease buildup.
Have Proper Fire Protection Ready and Available
You should have a proper fire extinguisher near your cooking source at all times. Better yet, you should know/understand how to use it. There are certainly YouTube videos online you can watch to get an idea of how to spray the fire extinguisher should you need to do so.
Finally, before you leave a room, whether it’s to go to sleep, go out of the house, or simply because your cooking is finished, you should check to make sure you turned the stove/oven totally off and that any buildup of heat has dissipated.
Davis Ulmer Sprinkler Company, in business since 1946, can make sure your fire alarms/sprinklers are in good working order. Should you need to install them, check them, or repair them, please contact Davis Ulmer Sprinkler Company today. We serve customers in the Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and surrounding areas.
