#6: Know what type of fire suppression

to use for each type of fire

Different classes of fire require different fire extinguishers or
extinguishing methods. To sum up the most common distinctions:

 Carbon dioxide (C02) extinguishers can stop fires

in some flammable liquids and energized electrical
equipment. Don’t use them for kitchen grease fires, fires
in your trash can, or other solid burning materials.
 Dry chemical ABC extinguishers stop fires in ordinary solids,
flammable liquids, and electrical equipment. Again, these
extinguishers won’t work with a deep fryer or deep
grease.
 Wet chemical (Class K) extinguishers can stop kitchen grease
fires. But this isn’t something most homeowners are likely to
have. Instead, they’re typically kept in commercial kitchens.
Fires on stoves or ovens that involve grease can often be stopped by
placing a lid on a pan or closing the oven door. A baking sheet may
also do the trick. In a pinch, baking soda or salt may also work. Don’t
use water or attempt to move the flaming material, which may
spread the fire.

Knowing how to properly use a fire extinguisher has been a focus of Fire
Prevention Week in years past, including in the city of Kirksville, Missouri:

#5: Many kitchen fires can be stopped

by keeping flammable items away from
hot appliances
This tip really could save your life: keep loose clothing, curtains,
dishcloths, towels, or boxes away from the stove area when cooking.
Clothing is the first thing to burn in a kitchen fire only 1% of the time—
but it contributed to 15% of recorded home cooking fire
deaths. Keeping combustible materials too close to heat sources is the
third-leading contributor to home cooking fires and the second-leading
contributor to associated deaths. The NFPA’s 2018 report entitled “Home
Cooking Fires” notes that the elderly are at particularly serious risk:

Five of every six (83%) of [clothing ignition] victims were 65 or older. While it is
important for all who cook to wear snug or short sleeves, this is especially critical
for older adults.

#4: Don’t apply spray grease inside the

oven
This year, at least eight people filed lawsuits against a leading
manufacturer of cooking spray. The cans exploded while cooking, users
allege, causing severe burns and even blindness. As the video below
shows, it’s not the first time spray grease has made headlines as a
potential fire hazard:

When spraying pans with nonstick coatings, remember to always remove

the pan from the stove or oven. These products contain flammable
ingredients such as oils and propellants that can burn (or explode) when
exposed to open flames or hot heating elements. Always store spray
grease away from sources of heat in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.

#3: Keep pan handles turned toward the

center of the stove or countertop backs
Why? As fire departments around the country have noted, orienting
cooking equipment in this way makes it less likely that a pot or pan
will get bumped or knocked over. It also reduces children’s odds of
scalding themselves.

#2: Safely check gas appliances for leaks

…by mixing a solution of liquid soap and water and brushing it onto all
connections (points where pipes and fittings meet). If there is a leak, the
escaping gas will cause bubbles to form, as shown in the video below:

Some potential sources of kitchen fires that might be checked with this

method include:

 Barbecue grills
 Pipes behind stovetops or ovens
 Appliances located in spaces adjacent to the kitchen,
including water heaters or gas dryers
If you smell a mild gas leak, turn off any sources of ignition, exit the
house, and contact the utility company. For more severe cases, call 911.