The Most Common Causes of Kitchen Fires

Over the holidays (and the winter months in general), people spend a lot more time working in their kitchens. This greater level of usage means there will be at least a slightly greater chance of a kitchen fire occurring in your home.

The good news is that these fires are highly preventable, but to know how to prevent kitchen fires, you need to be aware of their most common causes. With this in mind, here’s an overview of the most common causes of kitchen fires in Lawrenceville, GA and what you can do to prevent them from occurring:

• Excessive cooking temperature: Food ignition is responsible for about two thirds of kitchen fires (according to info from the National Fire Protection Association), and setting the cooking temperature too high is a great way to set your food ablaze. Always set the heat to what the recipe calls for—don’t attempt to improvise, or set the temperature higher just because you’re impatient or feeling pressed for time.
• Flammable objects near open flames: Kitchens have plenty of flammable items, including rags, napkins, paper towels, hand towels, wooden utensils, fabric oven mitts or pot holders and more. Make sure you keep those items away from a stove top where there are likely to be open flames.
• Appliance problems: In some cases, a faulty appliance could put you at greater risk of a kitchen fire. Internal damage can result in the appliance overheating or creating sparks, which could cause an electrical fire. After 10 years of use, it’s a good idea to have a professional inspect the appliance and perform any necessary maintenance. Depending on the age and condition of your appliances, it may be a good idea to replace them.
• Fires started by frying oil: Frying food is another one of the most common causes of kitchen fires in Lawrenceville, GA. The use of oil means those fires could spread quickly. If you do fry with oil, you should make sure you follow the proper safety precautions. For deep frying, only use a thermostatically controlled deep fryer rather than heating oil in a pot. When using a pan, only use enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan—the food shouldn’t be submerged in grease or oil. You could also opt for a non-stick cooking spray rather than using oil in larger amounts.
• Lack of a fire extinguisher: Every kitchen should have a fire extinguisher on hand. You’ll want a UL-rated 5-B:C fire extinguisher. The B and C ratings make it ideal for flammable liquid and gas fires caused by items such as cooking oil, as well as fires that involve electrical equipment, such as the electrical appliances you have in your kitchen. The 5B:C rating means you will be able to extinguish these types of fires with a five square foot radius.

Want to learn more about how to prevent kitchen fires in Lawrenceville, GA? We encourage you to contact the team at AAA Fire Protection Resources, Inc. today with any questions you have.

Categorised in: Fire Hazards

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