Preventing Kitchen Fires

It is always a good time to review safety tips for preventing kitchen fires in your home. You may have Homeowners Insurance or your landlord may have Landlord Insurance; however, the destruction and devastation following a fire is never something to celebrate.

The following tips should be helpful to keep fire safety top of mind, especially in the kitchen.  The kitchen is the most likely room where fires are started in a home, please be cautious in one of our most favorite rooms.

1. Never leave a hot range top unattended. If you’re called away from the kitchen for any reason, turn it off until you return.
2. Use a timer so you’ll remember that the stove or range is on, and be sure to turn it off as soon as you’re finished cooking.
3. Never place anything flammable on or directly near your range. Items such as wooden utensils, oven mitts, and food packaging can quickly ignite starting a kitchen fire.
4. Clean your cooking surfaces often being sure to remove crumbs, grease, and other food debris.
5. Plug all appliances directly into electrical outlets. Don’t use extension cords.
6. Inspect all appliance power cords prior to use. Replace them if they become frayed.
7. Be sure to unplug small appliances, including mixers and toasters, when not in use.
8. Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to ensure your stove and range are turned off.
9. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher. Keep one in your kitchen and check it often to ensure it’s charged.
10. Never douse a grease fire with water, as this will only spread the flames. Instead, cover any burning pans with a lid, turn off the burner, and let it cool until the fire burns out. Or, use baking soda or a chemical fire extinguisher to put out the flames.
11. Install smoke detectors near your kitchen – as well as near bedrooms and bathrooms on every floor – and be sure to test them each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.

Cooking Fire Safety is very important to every home, apartment, condo and family.  There are also many more safety concerns involving the kitchen; for example, keeping knives out of reach of children but this blog was meant to concentrate on preventing kitchen fires.

Whether you’re looking to buy, sell or refinance your home, HDA Insurance Brokerage is available to insure your new property; whether an owner-occupied home or a tenant-occupied rental unit. You may obtain a FREE Home Insurance Quote Online when you’re ready