Kitchen Fire Prevention 101

According to Tufts Department of Public Safety, kitchen fires are the most common type of household fire. In fact, they are the main cause of home fire-related injuries. Often, these fires are started when common items become ignited, such as paper products, curtains, wallpaper, and even clothing.

The stats are pretty astounding, too. A report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) stated that “US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 172,900 home structure fires per year started by cooking activities in 2014-2018.” Additionally, the report found that:

• Kitchen fires accounted for “550 deaths, 4,820 fire injuries,” and over “$1 billion in property damage” each year.
• The majority of “cooking fire deaths” occurred during the holiday season.
• Walking away from food while it was cooking caused the most kitchen fires.
• Sadly, about “one-quarter of the people killed" by kitchen fires had fallen asleep and weren’t watching their food. 
• Attempting to put out or control a fire without the help of trained firefighters resulted in more than half of non-life-threatening injuries.

The best way to avoid kitchen fires is to put safety at the top of your priority list. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take right away.



• Don’t leave food you’re cooking unattended, ever!
• Keep a close watch on food cooking in the oven, too.
• Make sure your kids and pets are away from hot stoves and ovens.
• Turn all pot handles toward the inside of the stove, so you don’t accidentally bump one.
• Roll up your sleeves and keep aprons tied tightly, to avoid dangling clothes over hot burners.
• Use clean, dry oven mitts to move hot food.
• Have a lid to a pot handy to stamp out “small grease fires” promptly.
• Remove easily ignitable items, such as curtains or loose paper products.

Sometimes, even with the best safety net in place, accidents happen and fires start. Depending on what started the fire, there are different ways to handle putting it out. First, remember to stay calm, so you can stay focused and alert.



• Grease Fires: If a small grease fire ignites, it is important to quickly put it out by turning off the stove, covering the area with a lid to a pot, and waiting for the pan to cool completely, according to Bob Vila.com. Do not spray water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire because it will just spread around your kitchen. The best thing to do is to cover the fire with a lid. 
• Oven Fires: For an oven fire, it is best to turn off the oven, close the door, and call your local fire department. If you are concerned that an oven-related malfunction happened to cause the fire, it’s best to have a repair specialist evaluate it before you try cooking again. 
• Microwave Fires: When a microwave fire happens, turn off the microwave, keep the door shut, and unplug it. Then call your local fire department.
• Electrical Fires: Be careful not to “overload” the electrical outlets in your kitchen with appliances such as toasters, blenders, or food processors. Use a fire extinguisher to put out electrical fires.

While you will never use a fire extinguisher or water on a grease fire, there are times when a fire extinguisher is the best tool for the job. Every home needs to have a working fire extinguisher easily available. Knowing how to use your extinguisher before a fire starts is important, and Everyday Health recommends following the steps below to use one successfully:

• Take out the pin from the fire extinguisher. Otherwise, it won’t turn on.
• Aim it at the “base of the fire,” like you would if you were watering plants in the garden. You go for the base or roots, not the leaves.
• Keep a firm grasp on the handle. 
• Clampdown tightly on the lever to turn it on.
• Spray across the fire (remember to focus on the base and go “back and forth”) until it is out.
• Let go of the lever to stop the flow once the fire is put out completely.

That’s correct! Good old-fashioned baking soda, which is a common household item, can put out a fire. Baking soda is especially effective at putting out grease fires and electric stovetop fires. If you don’t have a lid to cover the fire with, simply pour baking soda on it.

Keep in mind that baking flour and baking soda are very different, and you shouldn’t ever pour flour on a fire. Only use baking soda!

For smaller or more contained fires, you can try the steps above first. However, always call your local fire department if you feel like you need to. Don’t hesitate. Get you, your family, and your pets to safety and call 911.

Smoke and fire damage can occur after a kitchen fire. Nobody likes that smokey smell, but what can you do about it? Try following the steps mentioned below: 

• Get fresh air circulating in your home.
• Use baking soda to absorb odors.
• Vacuum carpets and furniture.
• Wash towels, tablecloths, and other items in the washing machine and rinse with vinegar. (You’ll want to wash them again without the vinegar rinse to get rid of the bitter smell).
• Clean your hard surfaces like tile floors, walls, and ceilings with a solution of ammonia and water. Don’t use an ammonia-based solution on hardwood floors though because it could cause them to change color.
• Try using a mixture of baking soda and warm water to gently clean surfaces.
• Replace air filters.

Depending on the severity of the fire, you may have visible damage to your kitchen. However, fire damage may still be present even if it’s not visible, and can also cause health issues and lower the value of your property.

Don’t get burned to a crisp when it comes to fire damage and fire safety. While there are a lot of facts and tips to know about kitchen fire prevention, they’re all highly important. Using these best practices will help keep your home and your family safe.

• https://publicsafety.tufts.edu/firesafety/cooking-safety/ 
• https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/US-Fire-Problem/Home-Cooking-Fires
• https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-home/general-safety/tips/how-and-when-to-fight-cooking-fires.aspx 
• https://www.hunker.com/13421794/how-to-naturally-remove-smoke-smells-after-a-fire 
• https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-put-out-a-grease-fire/