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home > your house > prevent > kitchen
  
 

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[Kitchen]

Most home fires start in the kitchen, and it's easy to see why: it's a very active room, full of heat sources, open flames, electricity and things that could catch fire.
  
  [Stoves and Cooking] [Stoves and Cooking]

  • Are all towels, napkins, potholders and curtains well away from the stove burners?
  • Are pots full of cooking food being left alone? In case they boil over, someone should always be in the room watching them.
  • Are the handles of pots always turned inward toward the stove, so they can't be bumped over? Spilling hot food and oil could cause a fire or a bad injury.
  • Are you certain a stove burner is off? Certain, modern electrical stove tops that appear to be off may still be very hot.
  
  [Electrical Appliances] [Electrical Appliances]

  • Are there a lot of appliances/cords plugged into one outlet? If so, the wires might be working too hard. Distribute what's plugged in to other outlets in the room... or plug in fewer things!
  • Do any of the cords or plugs feel hot? If so, they might be too thin to handle what they're being asked to do. Appliances that demand a lot of electricity, like toaster ovens, need a thick, insulated cord.
  • Are any of the cords too short, worn or frayed? If so, don't attempt a splice or repair... they should be replaced.
  • Do all the plugs have three prongs? The round prong should never be removed, and an adaptor should be used for two–prong outlets.
  • Are any of the cords or appliances near hot pad holders or curtains? If so, change their route, so the hot cord doesn't ignite the fabric.
  
  [Beneath the Sink] [Beneath the Sink]

  • Are any flammable liquids, such as paint, solvents, or fuels, being stored beneath the sink? They shouldn't be! Move them to a cool, dry place, well away from any boilers or pilot lights... preferably into a metal cabinet approved for flammable liquids and that is vented to the outside air.
  • Are cleaning supplies being stored well out of the reach of small children? Make sure the cabinet door has a child-safe latch to keep them safe.
  • Are all the lids and caps on tightly? Spills can lead to both fire and serious injuries.
  
  [Matches and Candles] [Matches and Candles]

  • If candles are lit, is someone remaining in the room with them at all times? Burning candles are often left alone in bathrooms—and never should be!
  • Do the lit candles have plenty of room around them? They should be kept well away from towels, washcloths, toilet paper and blowing curtains.
  • The use of candles for aroma therapy can be hazardous. The scent of lavender candles cause relaxation and sleepiness... something undesirable with candles burning.
  • Are any matches being stored well out of the reach of children? Matches should be stored on a high shelf, in an air-tight container, away from sources of heat or other chemicals that could cause fire.
  • Are used matches being extinguished in water before they're being thrown away? The paper in a waste-basket could easily ignite from a match that still has a glowing ember.
  
  [Kitchen Smoke Alarm] [Kitchen Smoke Alarm]

  • Is there a working smoke alarm installed in or just outside the kitchen? If you have a smoke alarm, it should be mounted high on a wall far enough away from the stove so that normal cooking smoke doesn't constantly set it off.
  • Is your smoke alarm easily set off by normal smoke from food cooking? If so, consider installing a heat detector instead. Heat detectors sound when the temperature in the room rises more than ten degrees in one minute—something only a fire is capable of.
  • Has your smoke alarm or heat detector been tested recently? Batteries should be changed at least twice a year (daylight savings time is a good way to remember), and the alarm should be tested once a month. If the alarm is mounted too high to reach, use a broom handle to push the test button.
  • Is your smoke alarm more than 10 years old? If so, it should be replaced.
  • Is your smoke alarm near any air conditioning outlets? Because of the heat, they should be at least 4 inches away.
  • Is your smoke alarm near any sources of steam or moving air? They should be mounted at least 4 feet away from bathroom entrances and air conditioning vents.
  • For more information, see the National Fire Protection Association's smoke alarm installation guide.
  
 


[Patrices Fire]

I coudn't stand the racket of the smoke alarm...so I pulled the batteries out!


[Patrice Escapes]

The flames were right between me and the door...and I knew I was going to have to use my second exit!


[Robertos Fire]

I knew I had a lot of things plugged in to one outlet... but that extension cord got red hot!


[Roberto Escapes]

It was so confusing in the smoke. And all that stuff I'd kept in the hallway—it was like being caught in a spider's web!
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