Got some tasty treats cooking up in the kitchen? Keep it safe with these fire prevention tips. Your safety and home alarm system needs aren’t limited to anti-theft protection. Statistics show that the No. 1 “home intruder” is fire. In fact, cooking is the number-one cause of all home fires: almost 40% start there and most start during the dinner hours, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The sooner a fire is detected and emergency responders are notified, the greater the chance that your loved ones and possessions will be safe
• Think prevention when you’re cooking. Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and have monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. According to the U.S. Home Safety Council, 97% of U.S. homes have at least one basic smoke detector – but an off-the-shelf smoke alarm may not be enough to protect your family and property. Monitored smoke detection and fire alarm systems work even when your alarm system isn’t armed – and early detection of smoke or fire is the key to faster response.
• Never leave the kitchen while cooking and avoid cooking when you’re tired.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing around burners or gas flames.
• Move flammables away from stove-tops—paper and plastic catch on fire easily.
• Smother grease fires with a lid, metal tray, or cookie sheet. Don’t spray with an extinguisher. You could spread the fire to the walls.
• Unplug small appliances when you aren’t using them.
