MEDWAY
RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Queens County, Nova Scotia
Queens County, Nova Scotia
KITCHEN FIRES
Statistics indicate that 48 percent of household fires and 4 percent of fire caused fatalities are cooking related. The video at the foot of this page shows one approach to extinguishing such fires. A quick response is very important. You should note that the demonstration shown involves personnel wearing protective gear and that improper approaches such as employing water can be catastrophic. This writer urges cooks to have a pot lid available which fits the pan containing hot fats. In case of fire, one needs only place the lid on the pot and remove the pot from the burner. This is faster than the technique shown which includes turning off the burner. That step is also desirable. However, with pots containing large amounts of fat, moving the pot has the risk of spillage which is a personal danger and can create a new fire. If you spill hot fat on yourself, your reflex reaction may include dropping the pot and a large spill. With gas stoves, turning off the gas will lead to safe cooling. With some electric stoves, turning off the power offers only slow cooling. This is especially so with non-coil type heating elements.
We also urge cooks to avoid allowing burnable items such as pot holders, food wrappers, paper towels, cloth dish towels and other potentially flammable items near the cooking surface. Such items can accidentally come in contact with hot burners or in case of a fat fire, be ignited by same. Both the wet towel and pot lid approaches interrupt the availability of air (oxygen) and smothers the fire. We strongly recommend the placement of a 5 pound ABC Type fire extinguisher at the kitchen exit/entrance with a minimum 3 feet (1 metre) from the stove or other potential fire source such as a deep fat fire. Putting it closer, or on the floor beside the stove, means you will be exposed to the flames as you reach for the extinguisher. Hair does burn and so does most clothing. Our greatest reservation to the wet towel approach is the necessity in many kitchens to turn ones back towards the fire while grabbing the towel, soaking it and wringing out the excess water.