Keeping the Kitchen Fire Free

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires are the leading cause of residential damage. Practice safety when cooking with your oven and microwave.

According to the US Fire Administration, kitchen incidents caused most residential fires in 2019. We can’t stress enough how important it is that you practice fire safety in the kitchen — especially when it comes to your stovetop and microwave.

Unfortunately, we have seen it many times before; a fire started because someone became careless in the kitchen. In the end, they needed our SERVPRO of Richardson's help to make their kitchens look brand new again. The best way to avoid this is to prevent kitchen fires. Below are some helpful tips for keeping your kitchen fire free. 

Stovetop Fire Safety Tips

Always Be Attentive

The most important thing you should do when handling your stovetop is to make sure you never step away from it when it’s in use. Walking away from a pot or pan while it's cooking increases fire risk.

Always stay in the kitchen whenever you’re cooking and always be attentive.

Be Careful with Cooking Oils

When you’re cooking your next meal with oil, make sure the temperature isn’t too high so the oil doesn’t spatter everywhere. And if you require high temperatures to cook your food, use high smoke point oils (e.g. grapeseed oil).

Microwave Fire Safety Tips

Don’t Cook Items for Too Long

One common mistake a lot of people make is cooking their food in the microwave for too long. When you microwave food items for extended periods of time, the overcooked foods can quickly become a fire hazard.

When microwaving, always read the instructions on the packaged foods you plan on heating up. If you’re microwaving other food items that don’t have instructions, look online for recommended cook times.

No Metals!

Make sure there are no metals whatsoever in your microwave before you cook food. Microwaving metals can cause them to burst and can severely injure people nearby.

Sometimes, people forget that they accidentally left their fork or spoon in the bowl before cooking. So, make sure your plate or bowl is free of metals before being placed in the microwave.

What if a Fire Started?

If a fire has started, try to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher or the fire has gone out of control, quickly exit the premises along with other occupants and call for firefighters. 

Once the fire is out, call for Richardson fire damage restoration services as soon as possible.

Let SERVPRO Help with the Aftermath

After the fire is out, look no further than SERVPRO Richardson for our fire damage restoration services.

For any inquiries, you can call us at (972) 690-1414 or visit our contact page.