Fireproof Your Kitchen

2020-10-05
By: Denise Koslowsky

October is fire prevention month and this year’s focus is fire safety in the kitchen.

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injury.

So it’s important that you take steps to protect your family from a kitchen fire.

To Fireproof Your Kitchen Please Consider:

• Never leave the kitchen if you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food.  Turn the burners off if you need to leave, even if it is just for a little while.
• If you are baking, roasting or simmering food, do not leave the house and return to the kitchen to check on your food regularly.  Set a timer to remind you to return to the kitchen!
• Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, know where it is located and make sure you know how to use it!
• Don’t cook if you are drowsy or drunk.  Pick up the phone and order out instead!
• Keep towels, food wrappers, oven mitts, wooden spoons and other items that can catch fire away from the stove top.
• Pay attention to what you are wearing when you cook.  Loose clothing, scarves or long sleeves can catch fire.
• Keep a lid close by so that if a small grease fire starts you can quickly put it out by putting the lid over the pan and turning off the burner.
• If a fire occurs in your oven or microwave, turn off the heat, keep the door closed and be sure to have the appliance serviced before you use it again!
• Keep the cords of small appliances away from the stove and counter’s edge.

House fires, no matter where they occur are a tragedy and we want to do all we can to help you protect yourself and your family.  We recommend that all homes have Central Station Fire alarms installed.  Relying on a smoke detector does not offer enough protection.  We cannot state strongly enough that the most important precaution you can take to prevent a fire at home is to have a Central Station Fire Alarm installed!  If you need any help, get in touch with us at 914-723-7100.  We would be happy to take some time to answer any questions you may have.