Most people have safe kitchen routines. Cleaning up spills, putting utensils back where they belong, and washing your hands before and after handling food are all great practices to maintain. However, kitchen accidents can still happen despite your best efforts. In the event of an oven fire, it’s important to know how to act—and, even more importantly, what not to do.
In this blog, we’ll cover the three major steps to putting out an oven fire, how to prevent kitchen fires in the future, and when to call a professional for fire damage restoration.
How to Put Out an Oven Fire
You’ve returned to the kitchen to check on your food in the oven and find the room filled with smoke. This is a frightening situation, but try not to panic. Before taking any action or even reentering the room, assess the area near the oven. If flames are spreading outside the oven, evacuate immediately and call your local fire department. If the fire is contained, follow these steps.
First: Turn Off the Heat
Once you turn off the heat, wait to see if the fire burns out on its own. Whatever you do, do not open the oven door. Oxygen fuels fire, and by keeping it contained inside the oven, you’ll prevent it from growing.
Second: Extinguish the Fire If Needed
If the fire isn’t dying out on its own, retrieve your fire extinguisher. If you don’t know or have forgotten how to handle a fire extinguisher, review these steps from the U.S. Fire Administration:
● Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher.
● Point the extinguisher low toward the fire.
● Squeeze the lever slowly.
● Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
In the event that you’re unable to use a fire extinguisher, call the fire department.
Third: Assess the Fire
If the fire burns out or you’re able to extinguish it entirely, ventilate your home by using fans and opening the windows. Continue to keep the oven door shut. Wait a few hours until it has cooled completely before opening it.
If the fire does not burn out or extinguish, evacuate and call emergency services.
Preventing Oven Fires
Fire safety practices can save your kitchen. While it’s impossible to predict a home disaster like an oven fire, taking preventative measures decreases your risk of a fire breaking out.
● Keep your equipment and kitchen clean: Grease, crumbs, and food left behind can serve as fuel for fires, which is why it’s essential to clean your stove and oven after use. Likewise, regularly sanitize kitchen surfaces. Ensure any flammable items, such as oven mitts or paper towels, are kept away from a burning stovetop.
● Watch your cooking area: Most oven fires start because the person cooking left the room to do something else. Stay nearby if you have food in the oven, and never leave a stovetop unattended while cooking. If you need to walk away, turn the burner off completely.
● Know where your fire extinguisher is: While we hope you’ll never have to use it, your fire extinguisher should be easily accessible and in working condition.
● Ensure your smoke detector is working properly: Test your smoke detector to confirm it will activate in the event of a fire.
● Set timers and cook responsibly: It’s always best to use a timer when cooking, even if you’re following a recipe you’ve prepared many times before. Also, be careful not to skip any key steps in your cooking or baking process. Forgetting to put down a baking sheet or using the wrong oven setting could be a catalyst for fire.
Call Valley Restoration for Oven Fire Damage Restoration Services
We hope these tips prevent a potential kitchen fire and keep you out of harm’s way. Keep in mind that if you do use a fire extinguisher, the extinguishing contents will leave behind a mess that’s both irritating and can get everywhere, including into food, if not cleaned properly. This is another reason to call your local restoration company for professional cleanup.
For fire damage restoration near the Wood River Valley, Valley Restoration has you covered. Our IICRC-certified restoration technicians are professionally trained to tackle fire damage, including smoke and soot removal, water damage from fire extinguishers, and debris cleanup. We’ll assess the damage to your property, salvage as many personal items as possible, and pave the way for repairs and reconstruction. We also work with your insurance company on your behalf, if needed, to get your oven fire claim processed.
Valley Restoration proudly serves Blaine County and now Twin Falls, Idaho. For reliable 24/7 disaster recovery service, contact Valley Restoration at 208-788-2789.