How to Put Out Any Kitchen Fire
Kitchen accidents are the leading cause of home fires in the United States, so as we head into the food-focused holiday season and stay overnight where it’s cozy, let’s take a look at the most effective ways to put out different types of kitchens. fires. Because not all fires are created equal, and depending on how and where a fire starts, different methods can help you put it out faster than others.
Here’s what to do if your kitchen is on fire.
How to put out a fire in the microwave or oven
I once memorably set a fire in the break room at an old job by throwing a paper plate into the microwave, not realizing it had foil writing on it (leftover from someone’s birthday? Unclear!) and also not knowing traces of foil anyway. a fire may start. I was just a teenager and didn’t respond well to the situation; as far as I remember, I opened the microwave door and screamed at the fire, which surprisingly did not put it out.
Turns out I broke the cardinal rule of a microwave or oven fire: don’t open that door. A fire needs oxygen to burn and grow, so no matter how tempting it is to open the door and start putting out the fire, take a break. According to the National Institutes of Health , you’ll first need to turn off your microwave or oven to keep the internal fan from supplying oxygen to the flame. Then wait until the fire goes out in an enclosed space. Once you’re sure it’s completely aired out, you can open the door and start cleaning (but open the windows first to ventilate the kitchen). If the fire does not show signs of burning out on its own, call 911 and leave the house.
How to put out burning fat
A fat fire is any fire that starts when oil, fat, or fat gets hot enough to ignite, so you can imagine how many opportunities there are for them to start when you’re preparing a Thanksgiving storm. Verywell Health advises to face this potentially hazardous situation, you should first turn off the stove and then, if possible, cover the fire – be it a pot, pan or deep fryer – with a lid to cut off the oxygen supply.
Never pour water on burning oil or the burning oil will splatter all over the kitchen. Instead, cover it with a lid and put out the fire with baking soda, salt, or a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames. If you can’t get the situation under control quickly, call 911 and leave.
Do not try to move the pot or pan, even into the sink. The adrenaline rush may convince you that this is a good idea, but it only increases the risk of the flames spreading further. Focusing on putting out the fire at the source.
How to put out an electric fire in the kitchen
Unlike grease or oven fires, electrical fires can happen anywhere in the home, but since so many kitchen gadgets are electrical, it’s important to know how to react. According to Edison International , you should never attempt to extinguish an electrical fire with water, as this can result in an accidental electric shock. Instead, unplug the device if safe to do so and use a fire extinguisher or baking soda to fight the flames. And call 911 immediately to report an electrical emergency, even if you put out the fire.