Kitchen Fire

Lightning & Thunderstorm

It is important to know what kind of stove or cooking oven you have in your home, gas, electric, and kerosene or where firewood is used. The stove is the primary cause of fire hazards in your kitchen and can cause fires, which may destroy the entire house, especially in rural areas where there are thatched roof or other inflammable materials like straw kept near the kitchen. For electric and gas stoves ensure that the switch or the gas valve is switched off/turned off immediately after the cooking is over.

An electric burner remains hot and until it cools off, it can be very dangerous. The oven using wood can be dangerous because burning embers remain. When lighting the fire on a wooden fuel oven, keep a cover on the top while lighting the oven so that sparks do not fly to the thatched roof. After the cooking is over, ensure that the remaining fire is extinguished off by sprinkling water if no adult remains in the kitchen after the cooking. Do not keep any inflammable article like kerosene near the kitchen fire.

Important Do’s in the Kitchen :

  • Do have an adult always present when cooking is going on the kitchen. Children should not be allowed alone.
  • Do keep hairs tied back and do not wear synthetic clothes when you are cooking.
  • Do make sure that the curtains on the window near the stove are tied back and will not blow on to the flame or burner.
  • Do check to make sure that the gas burner is turned off immediately if the fire is not ignited and also switched off immediately after cooking.
  • Do turn panhandles to the centre of the stove and put them out of touch of the children in the house.
  • Do ensure that the floor is always dry so that you do not slip and fall on the fire.
  • Do keep matches out of the reach of children.

Important Don’ts :

  • Don’t put towels, or dishrags near a stove burner.
  • Don’t wear loose fitting clothes when you cook, and don’t reach across the top of the stove when you are cooking.
  • Don’t put things in the cabinets or shelves above the stove. Young children may try to reach them and accidentally start the burners, start a fire, catch on fire.
  • Don’t store spray cans or cans carrying inflammable items near the stove.
  • Don’t let small children near an open oven door. They can be burnt by the heat or by falling onto the door or into the oven.
  • Don’t lean against the stove to keep warm.
  • Don’t use towels as potholders. They may catch on fire.
  • Don’t overload an electrical outlet with several appliances or extension cords. The cords or plugs may overheat and cause a fire.
  • Don ‘t use water to put out a grease fire. ONLY use baking soda, salt, or a tight lid. Always keep a box of baking soda near the stove.
  • Don’t use radios or other small appliances (mixers, blenders) near the sink.

COMMON TIPS :

  • Do keep the phone number of the Fire Service near the telephone and ensure that everyone in the family knows the number.
  • Do keep matches and lighters away from children.
  • Do sleep with your bedroom closed to prevent the spread of fire.
  • You should never run if your clothes are on fire and that you should .STOP.DROP.ROLL.