The kitchen for many is an essential space and almost always a safe place. However, this can quickly spiral out of control. Thousand people are injured in kitchen fires each year and due to the horrific nature of fire’s spread, many lose their life. Don’t be one of them, take the steps ahead to stay safe within the kitchen environment.
Nearly two-thirds of all domestic fires happen because of cooking. The kitchen is the single most dangerous place in your home, and yet similar problems often cause fires when they occur. If you know about those problems, you can avoid them. This section covers how to keep safe while cooking, plus what to do if the worst occurs and a fire starts in your kitchen.
Cooker
Many kitchen utensils are now electrical. Whisks, blenders, and microwaves are just some of the electrical appliances that can have trailing leads. Keep these electrical leads from trailing over or going near the cooker.
Do not hang tea towels or cloths on or over the cooker. Always hang them at least a metre away from the cooker.
Keep the oven, hob and grill clean. A build-up of fat and bits of food can start a fire so clearing excess waste is essential to avoiding any extra hazards.
Microwave
Never put anything metallic inside the microwave. This will cause electrical circuit breaks and will not only ruin your microwave but also massively increases the risk of fire. Also don’t put weak plastic items in the microwave as these are susceptible to melting and therefore could cause fire.
Electrical Appliances
Electrical appliances and flammable objects just don’t mix. For example, anything that regularly gets hot like a toaster needs to be well away from any flammable object such as curtains.
Do not overload sockets; one plug per socket is the rule, especially if the appliance takes a lot of power (like a kettle). Avoid using an extension lead on any kitchen appliances as this will increase your chances of being susceptible to fire.
Electrical appliances especially those that work at high speeds, such as the washing machine – should be serviced each year along with your appliance itself.
Do not leave appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers on overnight. This means if there is an issue with them you’re out of control of fixing it. As you are asleep in the same residence, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Buy a smoke alarm for your kitchen. Smoke alarms could be the difference between life and death and are an essential purchase. To understand more about how a smoke alarm or other fire detection systems can be installed, view our fire alarm system installation page.
Cooking Safely
The most important point about cooking is to avoid being distracted. Most kitchen fires occur when people leave things unattended or are out of control of what’s going on in their kitchen.
If you’re called away from the cooker by the phone or by someone at the door, take pans off the heat. It’s the easiest thing in the world to forget about them and doing so will most likely ruin your food but could also ruin your home.
Its also advised to not cook if you’re affected by alcohol or prescription drugs as you need to have 100% control over your kitchen appliances.
Turn saucepan handles so they do not stick out where they can be accidentally knocked, and are not over another hot area of the cooker.
Dealing with a Fire in the Kitchen
In the worst case scenario, it will almost certainly be difficult to stay calm, but doing so could save yours or a loved one’s life.
If you have a fire in the kitchen, its important that you do not take any risks, get everyone out of your home and call the 999 immediately. If you are not sure you can handle the fire or if it is spreading from its starting point then it is almost certainly already too big and you should leave the building.
A Guide To Kitchen Fire Safety
The kitchen for many is an essential space and almost always a safe place. However, this can quickly spiral out of control. Thousand people are injured in kitchen fires each year and due to the horrific nature of fire’s spread, many lose their life. Don’t be one of them, take the steps ahead to stay safe within the kitchen environment.
Nearly two thirds of all domestic fires happen because of cooking. The kitchen is the single most dangerous place in your home, and yet similar problems often cause fires when they occur. If you know about those problems, you can avoid them. This section covers how to keep safe while cooking, plus what to do if the worst occurs and a fire starts in your kitchen.
Cooker
Many kitchen utensils are now electrical. Whisks, blenders, and microwaves are just some of the electrical appliances that can have trailing leads. Keep these electrical leads from trailing over or going near the cooker.
Do not hang tea towels or cloths on or over the cooker. Always hang them at least a metre away from the cooker.
Keep the oven, hob and grill clean. A build-up of fat and bits of food can start a fire so clearing excess waste is essential to avoiding any extra hazards.
Microwave
Never put anything metallic inside the microwave. This will cause electrical circuit breaks and will not only ruin your microwave but also massively increases the risk of fire. Also don’t put weak plastic items in the microwave as these are susceptible to melting and therefore could cause fire.
Electrical Appliances
Electrical appliances and flammable objects just don’t mix. For example, anything that regularly gets hot like a toaster needs to be well away from any flammable object such as curtains.
Do not overload sockets; one plug per socket is the rule, especially if the appliance takes a lot of power (like a kettle). Avoid using an extension lead on any kitchen appliances as this will increase your chances of being susceptible to fire.
Electrical appliances especially those that work at high speeds, such as the washing machine – should be serviced each year along with your appliance itself.
Do not leave appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers on overnight. This means if there is an issue with them you’re out of control of fixing it. As you are asleep in the same residence, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Buy a smoke alarm for your kitchen. Smoke alarms could be the difference between life and death and are an essential purchase. To understand more about how a smoke alarm or other fire detection systems can be installed, view our fire alarm system installation page.
Cooking Safely
The most important point about cooking is to avoid being distracted. Most kitchen fires occur when people leave things unattended or are out of control of what’s going on in their kitchen.
If you’re called away from the cooker by the phone or by someone at the door, take pans off the heat. It’s the easiest thing in the world to forget about them and doing so will most likely ruin your food but could also ruin your home.
Its also advised to not cook if you’re affected by alcohol or prescription drugs as you need to have 100% control over your kitchen appliances.
Turn saucepan handles so they do not stick out where they can be accidentally knocked, and are not over another hot area of the cooker.
Dealing with a Fire in the Kitchen
In the worst case scenario, it will almost certainly be difficult to stay calm, but doing so could save yours or a loved one’s life.
If you have a fire in the kitchen, its important that you do not take any risks, get everyone out of your home and call the 999 immediately. If you are not sure you can handle the fire or if it is spreading from its starting point then it is almost certainly already too big and you should leave the building.