Grease Fires and How To Prevent Them

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

This kitchen suffered fire damage from a grease fire in the local Charlotte area.

Grease fires are one of the number one causes of home fires and home injuries. A grease fire can potentially cause you to lose your kitchen, our even your home if they are not dealt with properly. Here are proper ways to deal with a grease fire and ways you can prevent a grease fire. 

First off, how does a grease fire start? 

- A grease fire can occur when cooking oil becomes too hot and begins to ignite itself. Vegetable oils commonly have a smoking point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. 

I've created a grease fire, what do I do? 

1. DO NOT PUT WATER ON A GREASE FIRE. Some may think the number one way to put out a fire is with water. As that may be correct in some situations, within this situation it is not. The water instead will cause the burning oil to splash which will cause the fire to spread instantly. 
2. Instead of using water, you want to starve the fire of oxygen so grab a metal lid or baking sheet and cover the fire. 
3. Turn off the heat source
4. If the fire itself is small ,you can pour baking soda or salt to put it out. If you don't have those, you can use a Class B dry chemical fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. 

IF YOU CANNOT EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY AND CALL 911

How do I prevent a grease fire? 

• If you are ever cooking, frying, boiling, or any type of cooking, it is best to stay in the kitchen at all times to keep an eye on everything
• Keep anything flammable away from your stovetop
• If you exceed recommended grease temperatures and notice it begin to smoke, turn off the burner and let it cool. 
• Keep a lid near the pan you are cooking in 

Remember anytime you are cooking with heat, be smart and be prepared!