The second cooking safety tip from the NFPA for Fire Prevention Week is: “PUT a lid on it!” Beyond that, this section focuses on the different ways to respond to kitchen fires when they do start. By knowing ahead of time how to react appropriately, it will be easier to remain calm in the situation.
Here are the right ways to respond to fires that start in the kitchen.
If the fire starts…
- …in your pan: turn off the burner and put a lid on the pan.
- …in your oven: turn off the heat and leave the oven closed until it cools.
- …in your microwave: turn it off immediately and keep the door closed.
- …and spreads to your clothes: stop, drop, and roll to put out your clothing first, then follow the instructions above if the fire is still small.
It is also important to remember:
- Have your appliances serviced before using them again after a fire.
- If the fire starts to grow, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- DO NOT use a fire extinguisher on a pan that catches fire!
Tomorrow we will share other ways to minimize the spread of kitchen fires when they do happen, along with unexpected hazards that can lead to kitchen fires.