COOKING SAFETY on the front burner

Each year, cooking fires are the No. 1 cause of home fires and fire injuries and deaths. The leading cause of these fires is unattended cooking. The Batavia Fire Department would like to share the following facts:

• Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries, causing 49% of home fires that resulted in 21% of the home fire deaths and 45% of the injuries.

• Two-thirds of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

• Clothing is the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but clothing ignitions lead to 14% of the home cooking equipment fire deaths.

• Ranges or cooktops account for 62% of home cooking fire incidents.

• Unattended equipment is a factor in one-third of reported home cooking fires and half of the associated deaths.

• Frying dominates cooking fire problems.

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT HOME COOKING FIRE SAFETY?

Never cook food when you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol. Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, broiling or boiling foods. For other cooking methods, use a timer and check on foods often. Remain in the kitchen as much as possible and keep anything that can ignite, such as potholders, wooden or plastic utensils, food wrapping and fabrics away from open flame. Loose-fitting clothing can ignite as well. Avoid long sleeves or baggy, flowing clothing. Always keep pan handles turned in.

Cooking With Oil

Always stay in the kitchen. Heat oil slowly and keep an eye on the temperature. Lay foods in away from you to prevent burns. Avoid splashing oil out of the pan.

If the oil is smoking, it is too hot! Cover the pan and turn the burner off. If you must move the pan do it carefully. Keep lids for pans nearby while cooking and slide them in place over fires. Turn the burner off. If the fire does not go out or you are uncomfortable with your situation, leave immediately. Call 9-1-1 from outside the home.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAVE A COOKING FIRE?

Notify any others and get out. Close any doors behind you to contain the fire. Call 9-1-1 and DO NOT go back in.

If you try to fight the fire notify any others to leave and be sure you have a way out. Keep lids for pans nearby while cooking and slide them in place over small fires. Turn the burner off. Leave the pan covered until it has cooled. For oven fires leave the oven door closed and turn off the appliance.