How do kitchen fires start

Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles i. Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.

Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire. Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated. Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. If you feel as though the oil might be getting too hot, turn the temperature down or remove from the heat to ensure everything stays under your control.

As a result, when a spark lands on clothing, fire can rapidly spread. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association reports that clothing ignition can be blamed for nearly 20 percent of all fire deaths related to cooking equipment. Prevention: Be conscious of what you are wearing when you are cooking. Because clothing is flammable, be mindful of clothing that has long, dangling sleeves that can potentially hang down into the flame.

When possible, wear an apron to not only keep your clothing clean but to protect yourself. Even when cooks are extremely careful, fires can still occur.

RX Safety Eyewear Program. Corporate Accounts Program. Instrumentation Programs. Safety Equipment Rental. On-Site Services. On-Site Safety Equipment Store. Prescription Eyewear Program. Subscribe to Our Blog. By Vic A. ORR Safety offers 10 tips to keep your family safe Cook only when you're alert -- not when you're exhausted, not when you've been drinking.

Keep an eye on what you fry. If you have to step away from the stove, turn it off. Keep things that can catch fire -- such as dish towels, potholders and paper towels -- away from the stove. And avoid cooking in your bathrobe -- the loose sleeves can catch fire easily. But knowing where and when fires are most likely to ignite can help you protect yourself, your family, and your home from tragedy.

The heart of the home, kitchens are also the most common spot in the house for fires to start. These man-made fires are also easily preventable: Keep an eye on the stove, oven, and other appliances like toaster ovens, and move combustible items away from the stove. Fire extinguishers can be the difference between a small kitchen fire and a catastrophe. Purchase and replace fire extinguishers for the rooms where fires are most likely to start, and choose the right class of extinguisher for the type of fire most likely to occur in that room.

These fires are often due to faulty or overtaxed wiring or malfunctioning lighting, 6 but bedroom fires also start with cords, space heaters, or electric blankets. That beautiful Edwardian fireplace in the center of the living room sold you on your home, but it needs more maintenance and care than the occasional dusting and cute decor. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of house fires, with chimneys being the most likely type of heat source to cause a fire.

Fireplaces, chimneys, wood-burning stoves, and space heaters are all culprits for starting an out-of-control fire in the living room. Practice a few safety precautions to keep that homey fire in the firebox where it belongs:. Placing smoke detectors throughout your home is a critical step to responding to fire regardless of the room it starts in.

See our smoke alarm recommendations and tips for installing and maintaining them. If you live in an older home, suspect dubious DIY electrical work, or want reassurance that everything is in order, hire a professional, licensed electrician to check it out and address issues. While electrical problems can be expensive to fix, the cost of neglecting it can be devastating. Prevent fire and damage to your home by setting a few rules:. Safety is a mindset that starts with the tiniest members of your household.

Teach kids safe habits at any age with our tips and tricks. Always unplug your beauty products and leave them to cool on a heat-resistant surface away from flammable objects. Never leave candles burning unattended, and be sure you set them on a heat-resistant surface away from upholstery, linens, and curtains. Christmas tree fires often start because of faulty lights or proximity to a heat source.

Keep your holiday merry and bright by inspecting older lights, putting new lights on your tree, and keeping them away from heat sources. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. SafeWise uses paid Amazon links. About Contact Press Blog. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.