The kitchen is a place where happy memories can be cooked up.
However, those memories can turn into nightmares if proper safety precautions aren’t followed in the kitchen.
“It’s your home and everybody cooks every day and it becomes routine,” said Okotoks Deputy Fire Chief Pat MacIsaac. “When things become routine, people tend to be a bit careless. Fire is not very forgiving at all.”
Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 4 to 10 and the theme for 2020 is Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!
Two out of five home fires start in the kitchen, MacIsaac said.
He added kitchen fires are one of the more common fires that injure or kill people.
Not paying attention is a common reason for kitchen fires.
Especially if booze is involved.
“A lot of kitchen fires are caused because of intoxication where people have had maybe a bit too much, put something on the stove and fall asleep,” MacIsaac said. “Or they become inattentive.
“That’s a recipe for disaster – fire unattended and somebody intoxicated to the point they can’t wake up.”
The deputy fire chief has not seen a fatality in his seven years with the Okotoks Fire Department because of a kitchen fire. He has seen fatalities from kitchen fires while working at other communities.
In regards to kitchen fires, this is one recipe in which an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
“The biggest thing is never leave cooking food unattended, especially on the stovetop,” MacIsaac said. “I have never been to a kitchen fire where someone was watching the stove.
“It has always been when something is cooking unattended.”
He said stove fires are a common call for the department.
If a fire occurs in the oven, turn it off. Do not open the door to try and save the meal, he said.
And cleanliness is paramount in regards to kitchen safety.
“No. 1, keep your appliances serviced, clean and in good-working order,” MacIsaac said. “Especially gas appliances.”
Cleanliness and organization can also be a lifesaver in the kitchen.
“Keep clutter away in the kitchen,” MacIsaac said. “Go into almost any home and you are going to see oven mitts that are burnt and charred.
“Imagine that’s a nightie or a kid’s clothing that if it catches fire, could easily get away from people and cause real harm.”
Also using oils and grease when cooking on stoves should be kept to a minimum.
“Don’t overfill pots or pans with oil or grease just use the bare amount,” MacIsaac said. “Grease fires can occur in a split second. It can auto-ignite pretty easily.”
As well make sure to turn off all the appliances when done – including electrical equipment.
MacIsaac said even a deputy fire chief like himself has walked by an element on the stove and has noticed he left it on.
He said smoke detectors should be in a hallway nearby the kitchen. Detectors in the kitchen itself could lead to many false alarms.
If a grease fire occurs it can be smothered by covering the flames with a lid. As well, baking soda can smother the fire.
A fire extinguisher kept in the kitchen is also a good idea, MacIsaac said.
