Focus on Fire=20 Safety: Cooking=20 Fires

Fires resulting from cooking continue to be the most common = type of fire=20 experienced by U.S. households. Cooking fires are also the leading cause = of=20 civilian fire injuries in residences. These fires are preventable by = simply=20 being more attentive to the use of cooking materials and equipment.=20

Don=92t become a cooking fire casualty. Learn the facts about = cooking fire=20 safety today!

Safe Cooking=20 Tips

The kitchen can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the home = if you=20 don=92t practice safe cooking behaviors. Here are some safety tips to=20 help:

Never leave boiling, frying, or broiling food unattended. = Stay in the=20 kitchen! If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, = turn off=20 the stove. Check food that is cooking regularly; use a timer to remind = you that=20 you are cooking. Keep anything that can catch fire =96 oven mitts, wooden = utensils, food=20 packaging, towels, or curtains =96 away from your stovetop. = Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean. = Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when = cooking.=20 Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and can catch fire if it = comes in=20 contact with a gas flame or electric burner. Have a =93kid-free zone=94 of at least 3 feet around the = stove and areas=20 where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Always use cooking equipment that has the label of a = recognized=20 testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories. = Follow manufacturer=92s instructions and code requirements = when=20 installing, cleaning, and operating cooking equipment. = Plug microwave ovens or other cooking appliances directly = into an=20 outlet. Never use an extension cord for cooking appliances as it can = overload=20 the circuit and cause a fire. Check electrical cords for cracks, breaks, or damage.=20

Source: National=20 Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Cooking Safety = Tips

If You Have a=20 Cooking Fire

Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to = help=20 contain the fire. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.=20 If you do try to fight the fire, be sure others are already = getting=20 out and you have a clear path to the exit. Always keep a lid nearby when you=92re cooking. If a small = grease fire=20 starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over = the pan.=20 Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from = restarting,=20 leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool. In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door = closed.=20 After a fire, the oven should be checked and/or serviced before being = used=20 again.

Source: NFPA=20 Cooking Safety Tips

Nuisance=20 Smoke Alarms

If=20 a smoke alarm sounds during normal cooking, you may need to move it = farther away=20 from the kitchen (according to manufacturer=92s instructions) and/or = install a=20 smoke alarm with a pause button.

If=20 your alarm already has a pause button, push the pause button, open the = door or=20 window, and fan the area around the alarm with a towel to get the air = moving.=20 Do not disable the smoke alarm or take the batteries=20 out!

Treat every smoke alarm activation as a likely fire and react = quickly=20 and safely to the alarm.

Charcoal Grills

=B7 Purchase the proper starter fluid and store it out of reach of = children=20 and away from heat sources.

=B7 Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have = already=20 been ignited, and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other = than=20 charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.

Propane Grills

=B7 Check the propane cylinder hose for leaks before using it for = the first=20 time each year.

=B7 If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the = grill and=20 call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.=20

=B7 All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have = overfill=20 protection devices (OPD). OPD devices are easily identified by = their=20 triangular-shaped hand wheel.

=B7 Use only equipment bearing the mark of a recognized testing = laboratory,=20 such as Underwriters Laboratories. Follow the manufacturer=92s = instructions=20 on how to set up the grill and maintain it.

Never=20 store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a = gas grill=20 inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it=20 outside.

Barbecue=20 Grills

Stovetop and oven fires are not the only types of cooking = fires. As the=20 weather gets warmer, more people will begin to use barbecue grills. = While many=20 of the safety tips are similar to indoor cooking, there are special = concerns=20 with barbecue grills.

Position the grill well away from siding and deck railings = and out=20 from under eaves and overhanging branches. Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, = and foot=20 traffic. Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring = a 3-foot=20 =93kid-free zone=94 around the grill. Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef = plenty of=20 clearance from heat and flames when cooking food. Periodically remove grease and fat buildup in trays below = the grill so=20 it cannot be ignited by a hot grill. Use only outdoors!=20 If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces such as tents, barbecue = grills pose=20 both fire and carbon monoxide hazards.

Burns and=20 Scalds

In=20 2006, hospital emergency rooms treated around 29,850 thermal burns and = 8,460=20 burns caused by cooking equipment. Ranges accounted for 62% of these = thermal=20 burns and grills 28%. Microwaves accounted for 41% of the scald burns. = (Source:=20 NFPA)

Because microwaves are the leading cause of scald burns, be = extra=20 careful when opening a heated food container. Heat food in containers = that are=20 marked =91microwave safe.=92 Since foods heat unevenly in the microwave, = make sure=20 you stir and test the food before eating.

Protecting=20 Children from Scalds and Burns

As=20 the statistics suggest, young children are at a high risk of being = burned by hot=20 food and liquid. You can help prevent these injuries by following a few = basic=20 tips:

Keep children at least 3 feet away from where food and drink = are being=20 prepared or carried. Keep hot foods and liquids away from the table or counter = edges.=20 Use the stove=92s back burners if you have young children in = the home.=20 Never hold a child while cooking, drinking, or carrying hot = foods or=20 liquids.

Also, teach children that hot things burn!