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Take precautions to avoid fires in the kitchen

  • Published
  • Scott Air Force Base Fire Department
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  According to the National Fire Protection Association, during a five-year period between 2006-2010 an estimated 157,300 structure fires were reported where cooking equipment was involved in the ignition of a fire. These fires resulted in 380 deaths, more than 4,900 injuries and $794 million in direct property damage.

A gas burner heats at 1,000 degrees, an electric coil at 800 degrees. Cooking oil will ignite at 600 degrees, an oven mitt or dish towel at 400 degrees. The average person will sustain a serious burn at 130 degrees.

Three out of every 10 home fires originate in the kitchen, more than any other room in the house. Below are some cooking safety tips to keep you and your family safe.

Kitchen safety:
· Never leave cooking unattended.
· Keep areas around cooking surfaces clear of combustibles like towels, potholders and food packaging.
· Ensure cook tops and ovens are clean and free of oil and grease to reduce fire spread potential.
· Have a serviceable fire extinguisher on hand for emergencies.
· Avoid loose fitting clothing; there's a potential to ignite upon contact with stove burners.
· Do not place anything on the stove you do not want to be heated.
Cooking safety

Grease fires:
· Cover with lid or cookie sheet and turn off burner. Do not remove until pan is completely cool.
· Do not use water, flour, or baking soda. This could cause fire to spread.
n Oven fires: Turn off heat, do not open the oven door, and call 911.
Burn prevention
· Cook on back burners when children are present.
· Be careful of steam burns when cooking with a covered pan/container.
· Never heat bottles with formula/milk in microwave. Pressure increases with heat and can cause plastic liner to burst when inverted.
· Turn handles away from the front of the stove to prevent children from being able to grab and cause the pan to overturn.
· Learn how to administer emergency first aid for all types of burns.
For all emergencies call 911, provide the dispatcher the type and location of the emergency along with a call back number. Report all fires even if they have been extinguished.