Preventing Fires In Your Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most common places for home fires. A few simple precautions can help protect your family and your home.

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking. Never leave food unattended on the stove.
• Keep flammable items away from heat. Towels, oven mitts, paper products, and curtains should stay away from burners.
• Clean up grease regularly. Grease buildup can ignite quickly.
• Turn pot handles inward. This helps prevent spills and accidental burns.
• Keep a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off the heat.
• Never use water on a grease fire. Water can cause the burning grease to spread.
• Keep a fire extinguisher accessible. Make sure everyone knows where it is and how to use it.
• Test smoke alarms regularly. Ensure alarms are working and have fresh batteries.
• Keep children and pets away from hot cooking surfaces.
• When in doubt, get out. If a fire becomes too large to control, leave immediately and call 911.

A few minutes of prevention can help protect what matters most.