If I asked you to tell me the #1 cause of fire in the home, what would you say? Most people will guess computers, televisions or candles. But the winner is… cooking. It is common for people to forget that they have something cooking on the stove or in the oven.
Scenario One: You cooked bacon for Sunday breakfast. Everyone has eaten and you got sidetracked outside talking to the neighbor. While walking back to the kitchen, you realize you forgot to turn off the burner. There are flames shooting out of the pan. You now have a grease fire. What should you do?
- Use baking soda? You could, but you are holding a cardboard box over flames?
- Use flour? No! Flour explodes!
- Use a fire extinguisher? You could but you will be picking up the powder extinguishing agent for a LONG time.
- Run and take it outside? NO. Running with something on fire will only make it bigger.
- Throw water on it or throw it in the sink? NO. Water and grease do NOT mix.
- Slide the lid on and turn the burner off? YES! The fire will be extinguished almost immediately by taking away the heat and oxygen.
Scenario Two: You put a turkey in the oven. You forgot to set the timer. You go shopping only to return to a horrible smell. You realize you forgot about the turkey and look in and see flames. What should you do?
- Open the oven door and try to extinguish the fire? NO! By opening the door you are giving the fire more oxygen and it will spread and possibly burn you.
- Keep the door closed, turn the oven off and call 911? YES! By doing this, you are depriving the fire of oxygen and heat.
- Order take-out? Right again!
Another thing to remember is to keep anything that can catch fire – potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, towels or curtains – away from your stovetop. Keep the stovetop, burners and oven clean. Also, unplug your minor appliances when you are done using them.
