How to Prevent and Fight Grease Fires!

10/3/2017 (Permalink)

Kitchen Fire

Did you know that Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas are the 3 biggest days of the year for grease fires? Grease fires occur when cooking oil becomes too hot. First the cooking oil starts to boil, then it starts to smoke followed by a fire. A grease fire is different from a regular fire, so the way you handle it is very important.

How can you prevent grease fires?

• Keep an eye on the food you are cooking regularly. Do not leave it unsupervised for extended periods of time.
• When frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food, stay in the room.
• Do not leave anything that may catch fire near the stove top.
• Be extremely careful when placing food into hot grease.
• DO NOT ADD WATER TO GREASE.

If your oil does catch fire, complete the following:

• Turn the Heat Off
• Cover the Pot with a Metal Lid - Fire cannot exist in the absence of oxygen. With the lid on (and the heat off), the fire should quickly consume all the oxygen and put itself out. Use a metal lid since glass will shatter.
• Use Baking Soda - When heated, baking soda releases carbon dioxide with smothers out the flames oxygen. 
• Spray the Pot with a Class B Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher – For more information about fire extinguisher types, click here.
• Get Out and Call 911 - If the fire does break out of control, don't try to be a hero. Get out and find a phone to call 911.

With any luck, you'll never have to deal with a grease fire. However, if you do find your Greenville home or business suffering from grease fire damage, it can be especially devastating. SERVPRO of Pitt / Greene Counties has the specialized fire and water damage equipment and expertise to help you.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (252) 329-7205