Putting Out Grease Fires in Your Kitchen: What You Should Know
Posted on: 15 January 2016
When cooking, be careful, because grease fires can occur when a collection of grease or oil from animal fat on your fryer, stove, or oven gets hot enough to catch fire. Just like any other fire, grease fires are dangerous. Additionally, since the source of fuel in this type of fire is a liquid, the effects will be severe because the liquid is easily splashed and the fire can spread quickly to the cabinets or other areas of your kitchen and eventually even the entire house. Therefore, you have to take care of it quickly, and when doing this, here are things you should be aware of:
Before You Take Any Steps:
Safety
Safety for you and your family during a fire is a must. You know this already, but how would you know that you can handle the fire yourself? This should be simple, but requires that you stay alert when cooking to notice any instances of fire. If the fire is contained in just one pot and the fire is small enough, it is safe that you just put it out. However, if the fire is spreading already to your kitchen cabinets and other parts around your kitchen, it may be best to assemble everyone outside and contact emergency services.
Don'ts:
Water
Do not use water whatsoever! The water will repel the grease, and this can make it splash around. Moreover, the water can vapourize on contact with the fire and carry the particles of oil to other places. In either scenario, the fire can spread even more.
Burning Materials
Whatever you do, avoid moving your burning pot, because the grease can splatter and cause even more fire or injury.
Do's:
Turning Off the Burner
Whether it's your stove or fryer, you need to turn it off so that any grease particles are not heated to ignition.
Covering Your Pot
Cover the burning pot or pan if you can, but make sure you remove any dangling or flammable clothing if you have it. Covering will cut off the source off oxygen, which may slow the burning. Avoid glass lids because they may break and allow the fire to continue burning.
Using Baking Soda
If you can't cover your pot because of too much heat or fire, try throwing some baking soda into the pot, and this may put out the fire because the soda releases carbon (IV) oxide that does not support combustion.
Using a Fire Blanket or Fire Extinguisher
If the above procedures don't work, grab your fire blanket or extinguisher and follow the steps needed to help put the fire out.
For more information about keeping your house safe from fires, contact a local fire safety equipment retailer like The Fire Protection Specialist Company Pty Ltd.
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