Leading Causes of Kitchen Fires

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial kitchen with several covered dishes next to a pot on fire and a sink in front of it with SERVPRO in front of it

Leading Causes of Kitchen Fires

On average, 49% of fires start in the kitchen making it one of the leading causes of house fires.. It only takes a quick moment for something on your stove to catch on fire, and you have a costly disaster on your hands. Here are some safety tips to avoid expensive home repairs:

Frying With Oil

66% of kitchen fires occur while cooking with oil. Anytime you fry food using oil, it needs constant attention. Grease fires can spread fast and still have the capability to cause a fire if the residue is left on the stovetop after use. If your food catches fire while cooking, safely cover a non-glass lid onto the pan to extinguish the flames, and then turn off your stove. Do not use water; this will only cause your fire to spread.

Leaving Cooking Unattended

It is imperative not to walk away from your food while you're cooking. Neglecting your food while cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. If you are cooking, it is essential to only focus on that one task. It is not recommended to multi-task while cooking because an accident can happen in a split second. 

Cooking with Too High Temperatures

Although turning your stove to its highest setting seems like a good idea when cooking, setting your appliances too high is very dangerous. It is recommended to cook at medium temperatures to prevent food from combusting. If you have a gas stove, never let the flame rise above the top of the pan. Cooking requires a lot of patience; jumping the gun and attempting to cook faster than intended can put you and your family at risk.

If your kitchen catches on fire and you can’t control it, call 911 immediately. After the fire was safely put out, you may need repairs to your kitchen, including flooring, cabinets, and countertops. Keep in mind that smoke damage can also factor in the cost of repairs as it can damage your walls and the material underneath.

Here at SERVPRO we always want to help you put your best foot forward to avoid any fire, water, or mold damage. In the event that you do experience fire, water, or mold damage, we’re here to help! 

Give us a call for your quote today at 706-866-5646

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