Kitchen fires can strike at any time. They can be disastrous, but they aren’t completely unavoidable. Thorough preparation can ensure the safety of your family and the security of your kitchen. Here are the most important things to remember to keep yourself out of harm’s way.
Clean your exhaust hood system
About 70% of fires in kitchens start because of faulty extract ventilation systems. The kitchen exhaust hood system, which includes the hood canopy, ductwork, and exhaust fan, can trap grease, smoke, and heat. Fires start due to the build-up of fat and grease within them, which is also a health hazard since it is a breeding ground for bacteria. You can reduce these risks by regularly cleaning out your kitchen’s extraction and ventilation systems. This is where you should hire an experienced and certified kitchen extract cleaning service in Kent to perform a detailed cleaning of the kitchen exhaust system to improve ventilation.
Keep flammable materials away
Always make sure that highly flammable materials are kept far away from flames in the kitchen workspace. This includes food, wooden kitchenware, clothing, paper, tissue, and towels. Making sure that your kitchen work area is neat and organized guarantees that you won’t start a kitchen fire that you can’t control.
Clean greasy areas
Grease is a highly flammable yet unavoidable substance found within a kitchen. You can reduce the accumulation of grease by regularly cleaning all areas of your kitchen that are frequently exposed, such as your walls, ranges, fryers, exhaust hood system, hood filters, and grills. Don’t forget to sanitize areas of the kitchen that are difficult to reach.
Use a timer
When simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling anything, make sure you set a timer nearby that will remind you that food is cooking. You can use a separate timer for this, but there are also built-in timers in stoves and ovens that will automatically shut off the machine when time is up. Besides this, you should also be in a good condition to cook. A timer won’t mean much if you fail to hear it. Avoid cooking when you’re sleepy, intoxicated, or under the influence of mind-altering substances.
Be mindful of electrical cords
Not all kitchen fires are caused by the range. Faulty or overloaded electrical cords and equipment are susceptible to fires too. Having several appliances running simultaneously can overload your electrical system. This can result in melted or frayed electrical cables, fuse shortages, and damaged wall outlets which are serious fire hazards. Always be sure to do regular check-ups on your electrical appliances and to unplug all appliances at night. You should also schedule periodic inspections by professionals who can spot less obvious electrical hazards.
Wear appropriate clothing
Loose clothing can make contact with a flame and catch fire. Be sure to avoid wearing loose, long sleeves, or baggy clothing near an open flame. Your cooking smock should also be securely fastened to your body and it should also have shortened, tapered sleeves.
Cooking is a rewarding experience, and your kitchen makes that possible. Keeping your kitchen safe from fire hazards will allow you the freedom to experiment and enjoy what the culinary world has to offer.
