Yes, you can put out a small kitchen fire yourself if you follow the correct steps and prioritize safety. Knowing how to react quickly and correctly is key to fire safety in your home. This guide will walk you through the best ways to handle various types of kitchen fires and keep your home safe.
Immediate Actions: Your First Steps in a Fire Emergency
When a fire starts in your kitchen, every second counts. Taking the right kitchen fire emergency steps immediately can stop a small problem from becoming a huge disaster.
Recognizing the Danger Level
Not all fires are the same. First, look at the fire size.
- Small Fire: A fire contained within a small pot or pan.
- Large Fire: A fire that has spread to cabinets, walls, or is too high to reach safely.
Crucial Rule: If the fire is larger than a basketball, or if you feel panicked, do not try to fight it yourself. Get everyone out and call for help.
When to Call 911 for Fire
Knowing when to call 911 for fire is perhaps the most important step. Never hesitate if you have any doubt.
Call 911 immediately if:
- The fire has spread beyond the container it started in.
- Smoke is filling the room, making it hard to breathe or see.
- You cannot put the fire out in the first few seconds.
- You do not have the right tool (like a lid or a proper extinguisher) ready.
If you call 911, make sure everyone leaves the house right away. Close the door behind you to slow the fire’s spread.
Dealing with Specific Kitchen Fire Types
Kitchen fires often start in three main areas: the stovetop, the oven, or from electrical issues. The way you fight them depends on what is burning.
How to Extinguish Grease Fire Safely
Grease fires are very common and very dangerous because hot oil burns intensely. Extinguish grease fire actions must be slow and steady. Water should never be used on a grease fire. Water sinks below the oil, turns to steam instantly, and sprays burning oil everywhere, making the fire much worse.
Putting Out Stovetop Fire Safely
When dealing with a putting out stovetop fire, especially one involving oil or fat:
- Turn Off the Heat Source: The very first thing to do is safely turn off the burner. This stops adding more fuel (heat) to the fire. If you can reach the knob safely without leaning over flames, do this first.
- Smother It: The best way to fight a grease fire is by taking away its oxygen. This is called smothering a pan fire.
- Use a metal lid or a cookie sheet that is larger than the pan opening.
- Slide the lid carefully over the pan. Do not drop it, as this might splash burning grease.
- Once covered, leave it alone! Do not peek. Let it cool completely.
What if I don’t have a lid?
If you do not have a metal lid, you have other safe options:
- Use Baking Soda: You can use baking soda on fire, but only if the fire is small. Baking soda releases carbon dioxide when heated, which helps put out small grease fires. You need a lot—an entire box or more. Pour it generously over the flames. Note: Do not use flour, as flour is combustible and will make the fire explode.
- Use Salt: Salt works similarly to baking soda by smothering the fire, but you need even more of it.
Oven and Microwave Fires
Fires in ovens or microwaves are usually contained by the appliance doors.
- Keep the Door Closed: Do not open the door. Opening the door lets in oxygen, which feeds the fire.
- Turn Off Power: Turn off the oven or microwave completely.
- Wait: Let the appliance cool down. The lack of oxygen and fuel (heat) should cause the fire to die out.
- Check Smoke: If smoke continues or gets worse, evacuate and call 911.
Electrical Fires in the Kitchen
Fires involving appliances plugged into the wall (like toasters or mixers) are electrical fires.
- Unplug Safely: If you can safely reach the plug without touching the fire or water, unplug the device.
- Use the Right Extinguisher: Never use water on an electrical fire. Use a Class C or ABC fire extinguisher for kitchen use.
Essential Tools for Kitchen Fire Safety
Being prepared means having the right tools ready before an emergency strikes. Kitchen fire safety relies heavily on having these items accessible.
The Importance of a Fire Extinguisher
Every kitchen needs a working fire extinguisher. The right type is vital.
Fire Extinguisher for Kitchen Use
The best choice for a home kitchen is usually an ABC-rated extinguisher.
| Extinguisher Class | Suitable For | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| A | Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper) | Drops the temperature below the ignition point. |
| B | Flammable liquids (grease, oil) | Smothers the fire. |
| C | Electrical fires | Interrupts the chemical reaction without conducting electricity. |
An ABC extinguisher handles ordinary, liquid, and electrical fires. Look for smaller, easily accessible models (like 5-lb units) designed for kitchen use. Remember the acronym PASS when using it: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
Fire Blankets
A fire blanket is excellent for smothering stovetop fires or wrapping around a person whose clothes catch fire. They are made of fire-resistant material.
- To use one, pull the tabs to release the blanket.
- Carefully spread it over the fire to cut off air supply.
- Leave it until everything is cool.
How to Stop Grease Fire Spreading
A major goal in any kitchen emergency is to stop grease fire spreading. This requires swift, decisive action focused on containment.
Containment Techniques Review
- Lid Control: As noted, a lid is the number one defense against smothering a pan fire. Keep lids near cooking areas.
- Move Flammables: If the fire is near paper towels, wooden utensils, or cleaning sprays, quickly move them away from the heat source, provided it is safe to do so. Do not waste time moving items if the fire is already large.
- Fire Extinguisher Use: If the fire jumps the pan but stays small (e.g., hits a nearby cabinet), aim the fire extinguisher directly at the base of the flames, using the PASS method.
Safe Cooking Habits to Prevent Fires
The best way to deal with a kitchen fire is to prevent it from starting. Practicing excellent kitchen fire safety habits is easy and effective.
Stovetop Management
Most home cooking fires start here.
- Never Leave Cooking Unattended: This is the number one rule. If you must leave the room, turn off the burner.
- Keep the Area Clean: Grease splatters create fuel sources. Clean your stovetop, exhaust fan, and hood regularly. Built-up grease can catch fire easily.
- Use Proper Pan Size: Don’t use a very small pan for large amounts of oil. Use deep, heavy pots when deep-frying.
Appliance Safety
- Microwave Checks: Only use microwave-safe containers. Never put metal or aluminum foil inside.
- Toaster Caution: Unplug toasters and clean crumbs regularly from the bottom tray. Do not use a toaster near curtains or paper products.
Clothing and Reach
Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can brush against a hot burner and catch fire instantly. Keep pot handles turned inward so children cannot reach them and they don’t stick out over the edge of the stove.
Deciphering Fire Extinguisher Use: The PASS Method
If you must use an extinguisher, remembering the steps correctly is vital. This is how you operate a portable fire extinguisher for kitchen use.
P – Pull the Pin
The pin is a safety lock. Pull it out. This unlocks the operating lever.
A – Aim Low
Aim the nozzle or hose low, right at the base of the fire, where the fuel is burning. Aiming at the top of the flames is useless.
S – Squeeze the Handle
Squeeze the operating lever slowly and evenly. This releases the extinguishing agent.
S – Sweep Side to Side
Sweep the nozzle from side to side, covering the entire area of the fire. Continue sweeping until the fire appears to be completely out. Watch the area; if it re-ignites, repeat the process if the extinguisher still has content, or evacuate immediately.
Post-Fire Protocol: After the Flames Are Out
Even after you successfully put out the fire, the danger isn’t completely over. Proper cleanup and inspection are necessary.
Cooling and Ventilation
- Keep Heat Off: Ensure the heat source (burner) remains off until everything is cool to the touch.
- Ventilate: Open windows and doors immediately to clear out smoke and fumes from the extinguishing agent. If you used an extinguisher, the powder or foam residue can irritate lungs.
- Inspect Damage: Once cool, check for hidden smoldering, especially if the fire spread to walls or cabinets. Use a flashlight.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you used an extinguisher, or if the fire caused structural damage (even minor scorching on cabinets), it is wise to call the fire department for an inspection. They can confirm that the fire is truly out and check for hidden embers. This is often necessary if you had to stop grease fire spreading onto surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use water on a kitchen fire?
No, never use water on a grease or oil fire. Water makes oil splatter, which spreads the burning oil and makes the fire much larger and more dangerous. Water should only be used on Class A fires (like burning paper or wood), but only if you are certain no oil or electricity is involved.
What should I do if my clothes catch fire in the kitchen?
If your clothing catches fire, remember Stop, Drop, and Roll.
1. Stop immediately where you are. Do not run, as this fans the flames.
2. Drop to the ground or floor.
3. Roll over and over to smother the fire against the ground. Cover your face with your hands to protect your eyes and lungs.
Is flour safe to use on a kitchen fire?
No. Flour is made of fine organic dust particles that are highly flammable. Throwing flour on a fire can cause a dust explosion, making the fire much worse. Only use baking soda on fire or salt for small grease fires.
What is the best fire extinguisher for a typical home kitchen?
The best is an ABC-rated multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher. It handles common combustibles, flammable liquids (like cooking oil), and electrical fires. Keep a small one easily accessible, but know how to use it correctly.
How do I know when to give up and leave?
If the fire grows quickly, if you cannot locate a lid or extinguisher quickly, if the smoke becomes too thick to breathe comfortably, or if you feel overwhelmed or afraid, immediately evacuate. Your life is more valuable than property. Get everyone out, close the door, and call 911 from a safe location outside.