Friendly Reminder about Kitchen Fire Safety

We always think that we are careful and that an accidental kitchen fire in one of our Phoenix homes could never happen to us. Below is a story of how fast a potential tragedy can occur and offer some tips to help.

Several years ago a Phoenix resident decided to prepare dinner, which included some fried okra. As the okra was prepared, the skillet filled with a generous amount of oil, was put on a burner at the highest setting to get it hot. The phone rang, the call was taken and then the resident had to go to their computer. Upon finishing the phone call, they decided to change clothes, and at this point they were completely oblivious that dinner had been started.

Then all of the sudden, the oil ignited in the kitchen with a big pop. The homeowner ran to the kitchen and had flames to the ceiling with bellowing black smoke and immediately thought of using baking soda to douse a grease fire, since we have been taught this from an early age. As with many kitchens, my baking soda was with my spices used for cooking, and it was in the cabinet next to the oven which was no longer accessible because of the very aggressive flames.

Three attempts to dial 911 with no success getting these three simple digits dialed. You never know how hard it is to dial numbers until you are shaken to the core. They then thought of the fire extinguisher under the sink, reached for it and pulled the trigger. The high pressure fire extinguisher is not the best thing to use on a grease fire because it tends to blow the fire all over, but in this case a significant amount of the oil had already burned off and they were was successful in extinguishing the flames.

With the fire out, the homeowner grabbed the cat and escaped outside to the front yard, almost overwhelmed by the smoke produced by a fire that lasted less than two minutes. The next two weeks were spent on cleanup and it cost a few thousand dollars to replace damage appliances, re-paint the interior and cleaning ? soot was found throughout the home.

This story is not unique. Cooking fires are the leading cause of reported home fires (USFA). The following are a few precautions you should do in the event of a cooking fire:

1.Call 911.

2.Never leave your kitchen with burners on.

3.Keep three or four boxes of baking soda strategically placed throughout the kitchen for accessibility away from the range.

4.Keep an old large pan lid and an old towel under the kitchen sink to access quickly to smother fires (often your pan lids are in the near proximity of your range and may not be accessible).

5.Keep two fire extinguishers strategically placed in the kitchen.

6.If your first attempt is unsuccessful, get out and stay out.

It is very important that you make time today to sit down with your family to discuss and outline a fire safety plan for everyone in your home. You just never know when this tragedy, no matter how careful you think you are, can strike. The website www.firesafety.gov is an invaluable source to prepare your plan and get your children to participate in a fun way.

And remember:

Baking soda: $1.59

Smoke alarms: $14.95

Fire Extinguishers: $29.95

Fire Prevention: Priceless.