Kitchen Fire Safety Tips for Your Petaluma Home

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

How to Prevent a Kitchen Fire in Your Petaluma Home

For many, the kitchen is a space to prepare meals that bring the family together, and for others, it is a space in their home that they are unfamiliar with. Regardless of your experience level in the kitchen, accidents can occur. You can help reduce your risk of a kitchen fire taking place by learning these kitchen safety tips. This will ensure your home is fully stocked with necessary fire safety equipment.

1. Always Stay in the Kitchen When Cooking

Unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). If you are whipping up a meal on the stove or oven, an adult needs to remain in the kitchen to watch the food so it does not burn. It would help if you also used a timer when cooking to guarantee you do not lose your sense of time, which is a common cause for accidents.

2. Keep the Kitchen Clutter-Free

Remove items that do not need to be in the kitchen to avoid any additional fire hazards. Additionally, be aware of flammable kitchen items that can rapidly catch fire, like oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels, curtains, or even excess food packaging, and do not place them near the stovetop.

3. Unplug or Turn Off Your Appliances

Unplug any kitchen appliances when you are not using them, such as toasters and coffee machines. This will significantly reduce the occurrence of a fire. Turn off the appliance that you are using immediately after you finish cooking. It is also beneficial to wipe away leftover dust, food crumbs, and grease from your stove-top after use.

4. Install Reliable Protection

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, outside of each sleeping area and in every bedroom. It is vital to remember to install smoke alarms at least 10 feet from cooking appliances. Remember that if you are cooking something that involves a lot of smoke, while it might be tempting to disable your house smoke alarms briefly, it can create an unsafe environment for you and your family. Moreover, test your alarms monthly to guarantee they are functioning correctly and replace the batteries every six months.

Fire extinguishers in your home should be placed on every level, as well as in the kitchen and garage. Keep your kitchen fire extinguisher nearby, allowing it to be more easily accessible in a fire event. Kitchen accidents happen but following these tips can allow you to protect your home and family.

Kitchen fires can happen fast, even when you are following all the proper precautions. If you experience a kitchen fire, contact SERVPRO of Petaluma/Rohnert Park/Santa Rosa to help restore your kitchen to normal. We are here 24/7 to serve you! Call us at (707) 588-8226