National fire statistics indicate cooking is the leading causing of residential fires in the United States, accounting for about 26% of all fires each year. Most of these fires are easily preventable and can be easily eliminated by following a few simple rules.

 

   Cook slowly on low heat and keep the pan covered to prevent

     grease from splattering, especially if you are cooking in oil.

 

Never leave food cooking unattended, even for short periods of time.

 

   Keep the stove free of combustibles such as paper towels, boxes and plastic wrap as these items can be easily ignited by the burner’s radiant heat.

 

     Keep a “combustible free zone” around small heat-generating

       appliances such as toasters, small electric grills and coffee makers.

            Heat from these items can easily ignite towels, paper products and

           curtains and have started many serious fires.

 

           Keep an ABC fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen should a fire occur.

 

 

 

                                If a kitchen Fire occurs …….

 

                                Stovetop Pan Fires

 

 Let everyone in the home know there is a fire & call 911.

          

  Turn off the heat to the burner, if it can be done safely.

 

   DO NOT attempt to carry the pan outside or to the sink.

 

    If you have a fire extinguisher, use it to put out the fire.

 If you do not have a fire extinguisher available, take a cover

              and ease it over the pan from the outside edge.              

 Do not lift the cover to check on the fire as it may re-ignite.

 

       Leave the house immediately and

join the family outside

        until the fire department arrives.

 

 

                                                             Oven Fires

 

Let everyone in the house know there is a fire and call 911.

 

     Turn off the heat to the oven.

 

      Do not open the oven as that will feed the fire with a fresh          

supply of oxygen. Simply keeping the oven door closed will self-extinguish fires as it will run out of the oxygen needed to keep the fire burning.

 

Leave the house immediately and join the family outside

                     until the fire department arrives.       

 

 

 

        If you have any questions or wish additional information

on this topic call us at (318)949-9440.

 

            Prevention Through Education”

         BPFD1 Public Education