Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means the kitchen’s going to be busy. With a lot of activities going on, it may be hard to keep track of everything and not notice a fire hazard just waiting to happen.
Cooking remains the top cause of home structure fires in the United States. This Thanksgiving, an unexpected grease fire in your kitchen can end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs. Here are some tips to prevent this incident and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner to the full.
At ServiceMaster of Savannah, we care for you! We’re on standby to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Grease Fire Basics
- Oil has a smoking point, which is the instance when it starts burning. Oils can have a relatively low or high smoking point depending on their type. Oils with a low smoking point, such as olive and sunflower oil, heat up faster than others.
- Grease fires occur when cooking oil reaches its smoking point or when too much oil is used. Overheated oils can quickly combust. Grease fires can also happen when heated oil comes in contact with the heat source.
- Grease fires aren’t exclusive to stovetops. They can also ignite in ovens and over backyard grills.
Dos and Don'ts During a Grease Fire
DOs
- Turn off the heat source.
- Gently slide the pan’s handle over it to smother the flames. Dropping the lid can spill the hot oil, spread the flames, and cause serious burns. Wait until the pan has cooled before removing the lid.
- For small grease fires, use baking soda. Pour it on the flames. Only use a fire extinguisher as a last resort. Use a Class K fire extinguisher.
- Get out of the house and call the fire department if the fire becomes uncontrollable.
- After firefighting efforts are finished, call a fire & smoke damage restoration company like ServiceMaster of Savannah for a quick clean-up to get back to your Thanksgiving celebration right away.
DON'Ts
- NEVER use any of the following to extinguish a grease fire: water, baking powder, dinnerware, or flour.
- Do not move the pan away to avoid spilling the oil and burning you.
- Do not open the oven door if a grease fire occurs in the oven.
- Do not air out the kitchen until the fire has completely been put out.
Grease Fire Prevention Tips
- Never leave the kitchen when cooking something.
- Clean your workspace often to prevent grease from building up.
- Do not cook wet or frozen foods in hot oil.
- Avoid splashing oil by carefully lowering food and ingredients.
- Turn down the heat when the oil begins to smoke and remove the pan from the stove.
- Keep all flammables away from the stovetop and other heat sources.
- Before putting a pan back on the stove after draining the grease, make sure to clean any grease that may have dripped down the side of the pan.
Contact the Most Trusted Fire Damage Restoration Company in Savannah, Georgia
ServiceMaster of Savannah delivers personalized fire damage restoration services in Georgia to suit your needs. We are available day and night at (912) 244-6966. You can also message us online to schedule an appointment!
At ServiceMaster of Savannah, we:
- Determine the fire source and type
- Treat water damage from firefighting efforts
- Remove smoke and soot particles
- Clean and restore contents
- Perform restoration and repairs
Our experts are ready to help return your home to normal. Should you need us in the coming days, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Contact us today.
