"Stop a fire by preventing it" series
Home fires can be devastating. Licks of flame do more than consume fuel and oxygen. They consume homes, valuables, and the cherished memories they hold. However, it’s in your power to help prevent the devastation. Follow along with our “Stop a fire by preventing it” series including this blog and “Enlighten awareness on lithium-ion fires” <insert blog link>, “Fire safety for your home”<insert blog link>, and “Warming up to home heating safety” <insert link> to discover the ways you can keep you, your home, and your family safe.
Kitchen fire facts
You can cook up inspiration for all your senses in the kitchen. From the aroma of sauteed garlic, the sizzling sound of bacon, a lasagna’s vibrant colour in the oven, to the tactile bliss of pulling apart a freshly baked croissant, the kitchen can be a place of magic. However, keeping the kitchen safe from fire can be tricky. According to a study conducted by StatsCan from 2015 to 2021, 32% of home fire incidents in five provinces, the Yukon, and Canadian Forces bases were related to cooking – making it the leading cause of home fires in Canada.
So how do fires in the kitchen start?
Where there’s heat, there’s always the risk of fire. Let’s take a deeper dive into what can specifically cause a fire. According to the Government of Canada, unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. Other risks can include:
- overheated oil and grease
- flammable items too close to heat sources
- dirty cooking surfaces
- faulty or misused appliances
- loose clothing
- cooking while tired, impaired, or distracted.
How to help prevent cooking fires
- Whenever you’re cooking, never leave appliances unattended when in use. These are some more suggestions by the Government of Canada:
- Remove everything from the stovetop when you're done cooking.
- Cool down cookware on heat-resistant surfaces.
- Keep young children and pets away from cooktops.
- Install ULC approved smoke detectors on every floor of your home.
- Regularly clean and test your smoke detectors and replace batteries annually.
- Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- Keep a pot cover handy in case you need to smother flames.
Here are a few tips to avoid risks when deep frying your meals:
- Use an electric deep fryer with temperature control.
- Ensure you’ve read your deep fryer’s manual for proper use, cleaning, and storage info.
- Heat the oil slowly and pay attention while it is heating.
- Never leave hot oil unattended and turn off the heat if you ever leave the kitchen.
- Pat food dry and place it in the oil slowly.
- Turn off the fryer immediately after cooking and let it cool before cleaning and putting it away.
Never use water to put out an oil or grease fire, as it will spread the fire.
What to do in case of a kitchen fire
If a fire starts in the kitchen experts advise you to:
Stay calm
- Turn off the heat source whether the fire is on the stove, oven, or kitchen appliance.
- For a stovetop fire, place a pot lid or a fire blanket over the pot or pan. Keep it covered till it cools.
- For an oven or microwave oven fire, keep the door closed until the fire has extinguished.
- For a small fire and contained fire , use an approved fire extinguisher. Find more fire extinguisher info here.
- If the fire spreads and you are ever concerned for your safety, evacuate the home and call 911.
As the famous cookbook suggests, “The Joy of Cooking” can bring a lot to mealtime. You can certainly ensure the joy by minimizing the risks in the kitchen. Bon appetit.
