Cooking with Grease

Frying food poses the greatest risk of life-threatening fires in your home. In fact, 43 percent of cooking fires in 2010 started with cooking oil. That same year, someone died in a fire every 169 minutes, and was injured every 30 minutes. Best bet, don’t cook with grease, it’s healthier and safer to bake or grill food. Grease fires are the #1 cause of all kitchen fires.

If you do have a grease fire – use oven mitts/potholders and cover the pan/pot with lid or flat cookie sheet, and turn off stove.

• NEVER USE WATER as this will create a larger fire.
• Keep combustible items away from oil that is heating.  If water spills into a pan of hot grease, it will immediately turn into steam and violently spew out hot grease and fire in all directions.
• Make sure that no liquids are sitting close to the cooking area.
• Don't drink near the stove or keep cups of coffee or cans of soda too close either.

Use extra caution when cooking with deep fryers. Plan the placement of the unit in an area where it cannot be struck/bumped and inadvertently tipped over which could result in serious burn injuries and a fire. Be careful that the cord is not placed where it can be snagged or pulled by children, pets or others passing by.

For more tips, visit: How to Prevent Kitchen Grease Fires