The kitchen is one of the primary areas where fires occur in the home. Many kitchen fires begin with cooking equipment, number one on the list of fire sources are stoves. Following these safety tips will help to protect you and your family when in the kitchen.

Preventing Kitchen Fires

• ALWAYS keep an eye on your cooking and stay in the kitchen. Unattended burning stoves are a major cause of cooking fires.
• ALWAYS wear short or close-fitting sleeves. Dangling apron strings and shirt tails can catch fire when in contact with flames.
• ALWAYS keep young children out of the kitchen when cooking. When old enough, teach them how to cook and use the stove safely.
• ALWAYS clean cooking surfaces after use. This will prevent food and grease build-up.
• ALWAYS turn pan handles inward to prevent burn injuries and food spills.
• NEVER situate your stove near curtains or place your grill near wooden siding.
• NEVER keep gasoline or other flammable liquids in the kitchen.
• NEVER attempt to service or repair your stove, always hire a certified service technician.

Extinguishing Kitchen Fires

• ALWAYS call the Fire Service immediately when there is a fire.
• ALWAYS keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure you have the right type and know how to use it.
• ALWAYS keep the oven door shut and turn off the heat to smother an oven or broiler fire.
• ALWAYS slide a pan lid over flames to smother a grease or oil fire, then turn off the heat and leave lid in place until the pan cools.
• ALWAYS keep working smoke alarms (detectors) in your home and test them monthly.
• NEVER use water or flour on cooking and grease fires. You may use baking soda or a Class "K" extinguisher (Wet Chemical).