Reliable Ways to Stop a Kitchen Fire | SERVPRO of Seattle Northeast

12/22/2023 (Permalink)

Has a sudden house fire left major damage to your home recently? SERVPRO of Seattle Northeast is Here to Help®. Contact us now!

Whether you are a self-appointed chef or try to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible, we all have to eat. Baking, frying, boiling and sauteing are all common cooking methods, and they all rely on heat or flame in order to cook your food. 

Because we are constantly using heat in our kitchens, it should be no surprise that the majority of house fires start in the kitchen. Experiencing a kitchen fire can happen to anyone at any time, so knowing what to do when one does break out can help you stay in control by extinguishing it quickly. 

Preparing Your Space 

The good news is that many kitchen fires are actually preventable. Preparing your space is one of the best ways to go about doing this. Make sure your stovetop and oven are cleaned regularly and that you are keeping flammable materials to a minimum. Keep pot holders, oven mitts and kitchen towels stored safely away until you need them.

You should also set out a pot or pan lid next to your stovetop. Even if you aren’t needing to use it in your cooking, having it nearby can help you take control of any wandering flames. If a fire does start in your pan, you can throw the lid over the pan and extinguish it immediately. 

What to Do When a Fire Breaks Out 

If the fire starts on your stovetop, use that lid to pop over the top of it to smother the flames. If the start starts in your closed oven, don’t open the door! Simply turn off the heat, keep the door shut and back away. Eventually the fire will run out of oxygen and will die down.

You can also use your fire extinguisher during an emergency situation if you know how to use it. Keep it in a central location so that it is easily accessible during a true emergency. 

Just remember, water and grease can be a really dangerous combination. Never use water to put out a grease fire as it can make the situation worse or cause a dangerous flareup to happen. You always smother a grease fire. 

Once the Fire Is Out 

Either you put the fire out yourself or you called 911 and the fire department did it for you. Either way, you will now be faced with the frustrating realization that you have to restore your home. Let our team handle the entire process for you! 

We know how stressful it can be to recover from a serious disaster like a house fire, so we work with you every step of the way to make sure you are informed and aware of the changes and repairs that are taking place. We will remove damaged debris, clean and sanitize the space, and tackle any necessary reconstruction needs. Our team can even tear down and rebuild certain areas of your home if needed. 

Even small kitchen fires can have a large impact. Call SERVPRO of Seattle Northeast today.