Can I put out a kitchen fire myself? Yes, you can put out many small kitchen fires yourself if you act fast and safely, but you must know the correct steps for the type of fire you face. If the fire is large or spreading rapidly, evacuate immediately and call emergency services. Knowing kitchen fire safety tips is the first line of defense against a cooking fire emergency.
Quick Fire Actions: When to Fight and When to Flee
Fire moves fast in a kitchen. Your first choice must be safety. If a fire starts, do not panic. Stop, look, and act quickly.
Determining Fire Size and Risk
Small fires, like a small grease spill catching flame, can often be handled by a trained person. Large fires, those touching the ceiling, or fires that block your exit, need immediate evacuation. Never try to fight a fire if you feel unsafe or if your escape route is blocked.
| Fire Size | Recommended Action | Key Safety Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Very Small (e.g., pan flame) | Attempt to extinguish using safe methods listed below. | Stay calm; keep your escape route open. |
| Growing (e.g., flames climbing up the wall) | Use a fire extinguisher for kitchen (if accessible and you know how). | If the fire grows despite efforts, leave now. |
| Large or Spreading Rapidly | Evacuate immediately, close the door behind you, and call for help. | Do not re-enter the building for any reason. |
Stopping Stovetop Fires: Handling Grease and Pan Fires
Most kitchen fires start on the stove. Knowing how to stop stovetop fire growth is crucial. These are usually grease fires or fires involving cooking oil.
The Power of Exclusion: How to Smother Kitchen Fire
The best way to fight a small grease fire is to remove its fuel source and, more importantly, its oxygen. This is called smother kitchen fire. Flames need air to burn. Taking the air away stops the fire.
Proper Use of Pan Lid on Fire
If a pot or pan catches fire, the proper use of pan lid on fire is your primary tool for small fires.
- Turn Off the Heat: Immediately switch off the burner. This removes the heat source that keeps the fuel hot enough to burn.
- Find a Metal Lid: Locate a tight-fitting metal lid that is larger than the pan.
- Slide the Lid: Carefully slide the lid over the pan. Do not drop it from a height, as this can splash burning grease. Slide it straight across the top.
- Leave It Alone: Once covered, leave the lid on. Do not peek or remove the lid until the pan is completely cool. Removing it too soon can let oxygen rush in, causing the fire to flare up again.
Warning: Never use a glass lid. The extreme heat can cause the glass to shatter, spreading burning grease.
Using Baking Soda on Grease Fire
For very small grease fires in a shallow pan, you can use baking soda on grease fire. Baking soda releases carbon dioxide when heated, which helps displace oxygen.
- Use Plenty: You need a large amount—an entire box is often necessary for a real fire.
- Generously Apply: Dump the baking soda directly onto the flames.
- Salt is Not a Substitute: Do not confuse baking soda with baking powder or regular salt. Baking powder can sometimes make a grease fire worse. Regular salt is often ineffective unless you have a massive quantity.
When Water is the Enemy: Why You Cannot Use Water
Never throw water on a grease fire. Water sinks below the oil, instantly turns to steam, and explodes outward, spraying burning oil everywhere. This turns a small pan fire into a dangerous, room-sized hazard. This is the main rule of grease fire safety.
Utilizing Specialized Tools: Fire Blankets and Extinguishers
When smothering isn’t enough, specialized tools offer the next level of defense for extinguishing stove top flames.
How to Use a Fire Blanket
A fire blanket is a crucial safety item for kitchens. It is made of a fire-resistant material designed to smother flames quickly.
- Pull the Tabs: Locate the pull tabs on the fire blanket case. Pull them firmly to deploy the blanket.
- Hold by the Tabs: Hold the two tabs firmly, keeping the blanket folded between your hands.
- Place Over Fire: Approach the fire cautiously, keeping your body low. Gently place the blanket over the entire burning area, covering it completely.
- Cut Off Oxygen: The blanket starves the fire of oxygen. Leave it in place until everything is cool.
Fire blankets are excellent for quickly covering small appliances or fires on counters.
Selecting and Using a Fire Extinguisher for Kitchen
A proper fire extinguisher for kitchen use should be rated ABC or, ideally, a specialized K-Class extinguisher for commercial settings, but an ABC dry chemical extinguisher works well for home use.
- Know Your Type: Ensure your extinguisher is rated for Class B (flammable liquids like grease) and Class C (electrical fires).
- PASS Method: You must remember the simple PASS method for safe operation:
- Pull the pin.
- Aim low, pointing the nozzle at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the handle slowly and evenly.
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side across the base of the fire.
Crucial Note: Only use an extinguisher if you are certain you can put the fire out quickly. If the fire doesn’t immediately go out, drop the extinguisher and evacuate.
Handling Non-Grease Kitchen Fires
Not all kitchen fires involve oil. Fires involving paper, towels, or wood (like a burning trash can or a wooden cutting board) are different and should not be treated like grease fires.
Dealing with Ordinary Combustibles (Class A Fires)
If a fire involves common materials like paper, cardboard, or wood, and it is small:
- Turn Off Power/Gas: Ensure the electrical or gas source is shut off.
- Use Water (Only for Class A): If the fire is confirmed to be Class A (no electricity or grease involved), you can use a small amount of water carefully. Aim the water at the base of the fire.
- Use Extinguisher: An ABC extinguisher works perfectly for these fires too.
Electrical Fires
If an appliance starts sparking or catches fire (e.g., toaster, microwave), treat it as a Class C electrical fire.
- Unplug or Shut Off Power: If safe, immediately cut the power source.
- Do Not Use Water: Water conducts electricity and is dangerous on live electrical equipment.
- Use Dry Chemical or CO2 Extinguisher: Use an ABC extinguisher or a specialized CO2 extinguisher to smother the flames without spreading conductive residue.
When Escape is the Only Option: Evacuation Protocol
When a fire grows beyond your control, quick, safe evacuation is vital. This is part of comprehensive kitchen fire safety tips.
Evacuation Steps
- Shout Warning: Yell “FIRE!” loudly to alert everyone in the house.
- Crawl Low: Smoke rises. Stay low to the floor where the air is cleaner and cooler.
- Close Doors: As you leave the kitchen area, close the door behind you. This traps smoke and fire, slowing its spread to the rest of the home.
- Check Doors: Before opening any door, feel the doorknob and the top of the door with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do not open it; find another exit.
- Use the Designated Meeting Spot: Go immediately to your planned outside meeting spot. Never go back inside for pets or possessions.
- Call Emergency Services: Call the fire department (911 or your local emergency number) from a neighbor’s house or a mobile phone once you are safely outside.
Preventing Future Calamities: Proactive Kitchen Safety
The best way to survive a cooking fire emergency is to prevent it from starting in the first place. These preventative measures are key to long-term grease fire safety.
Essential Prevention Habits
- Never Leave Cooking Unattended: This is the number one cause of kitchen fires. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.
- Keep Flammables Away: Keep towels, oven mitts, paper products, and curtains far away from burners and the stovetop.
- Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly clean grease buildup from your stovetop, range hood, and filters. Built-up grease is highly flammable fuel.
- Wear Safe Clothing: Avoid loose-fitting clothing while cooking, as sleeves can easily catch fire.
- Child Safety: Keep children and pets away from the cooking area. Set a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove.
Appliance Safety Checks
Regularly inspect your equipment:
- Check electrical cords for fraying or damage before plugging in appliances.
- Do not overload outlets with many small appliances running at once.
- Know where your main electrical shut-off panel is located.
Essential Equipment Checklist for the Kitchen
Every kitchen should be equipped to handle minor incidents. Having the right gear ready makes a difference when you need to smother kitchen fire quickly.
| Item | Purpose | Location Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Fire Extinguisher (ABC Rated) | For grease, electrical, and ordinary material fires. | Near the kitchen exit, not directly next to the stove. |
| Metal Pan Lids | For smothering small stovetop fires. | Hung or placed conveniently near the stove. |
| Fire Blanket | For smothering larger surface fires quickly. | Accessible, often mounted on a nearby wall. |
| Smoke Detector | Early warning system. | Install one inside and one outside the kitchen area. |
| Fire Escape Plan | Knowing exactly how to exit safely. | Posted clearly where everyone can see it. |
Further Considerations for Appliance Fires
Sometimes the fire originates within an appliance, such as the microwave or oven.
Microwave Fires
If a fire starts inside the microwave:
- Do Not Open the Door: Keep the door shut. The enclosed space limits oxygen.
- Turn Off Power: Unplug the microwave if you can safely reach the plug without getting close to the door.
- Wait: Let the fire burn itself out due to lack of oxygen.
- Call for Help: Once completely cooled, open the door carefully to check the situation, then call the fire department to verify safety, especially if smoke is heavy.
Oven Fires
Oven fires are often caused by food spills or excessive grease dripping onto heating elements.
- Turn Off Oven: Shut off the heat immediately.
- Keep Door Closed: Keep the oven door firmly closed. This cuts off oxygen and contains the flames.
- Monitor: Watch closely. If the fire does not die down within a minute or two, evacuate and call for help. Do not try to open the door to throw water or baking soda inside.
Deciphering Fire Classes for Better Response
Knowing the class of fire dictates the correct tool for extinguishing stove top flames or other incidents. Fire extinguishers are labeled based on the fuel source.
- Class A: Ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, cloth.
- Class B: Flammable liquids like grease, oil, gasoline.
- Class C: Energized electrical equipment.
- Class D: Combustible metals (rare in homes).
- Class K: Cooking oils and fats (found often in commercial kitchens, but relevant to deep fryers at home).
For most home kitchens, having an ABC rated extinguisher is the baseline requirement, as it covers A, B, and C risks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What should I do if my oven mitt catches fire?
If your oven mitt catches fire while you are holding it, immediately drop it onto a non-flammable surface (like a bare tile floor or sink) and smother kitchen fire by covering it completely with a lid or a thick, non-synthetic towel you have dampened slightly (if it’s not an electrical fire). Do not try to shake it out.
Can I use flour or cornstarch to put out a grease fire?
No. While these look similar to baking soda, flour and cornstarch are fine powders that are highly combustible. Throwing them onto a fire can cause a dust explosion, making the situation much worse. Stick strictly to use baking soda on grease fire.
How often should I check my smoke detectors?
You should test your smoke detectors once a month by pressing the test button. You should replace the batteries at least once a year, even if they seem fine. Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every ten years.
Is it safe to use a wet towel to put out a stovetop fire?
Only use a wet towel or blanket if the fire is not a grease fire and there is no electricity involved (Class A fire only). A damp, heavy blanket or towel can be used to smother the flames by cutting off air. However, a designated fire blanket is much safer and more effective because it is fireproof and will not scald you if steam rises. Never use a wet towel on hot oil.
When should I stop trying to fight the fire and just call 911?
You should call 911 immediately if:
1. The fire is larger than a small wastebasket.
2. The fire spreads beyond the initial source (e.g., it reaches the cabinets).
3. You do not have the correct extinguishing material immediately available.
4. Your escape route is becoming blocked by smoke or flames.
Remember, property can be replaced; lives cannot. Safety is always the first priority during a cooking fire emergency.