Cooking Safety Tips for New Bern, NC Residents

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

Frying is one of the most frequent causes of home cooking fires.

With cooler temperatures outside, many of us choose to stay inside and cook something new and exciting to pass the time. While generally a great idea, be mindful that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires in the united states.

To stay on the safe side, let’s take a moment to learn some more about this kind of danger and how you can prevent it.

To start, let’s take a look at the numbers: According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking accounts for about 47% of home fires, 20% of fire-related deaths and 45% of the fire-related injuries reported across the country each year.

Scary though these figures may be, there are many steps you can take to prevent these kinds of fires. As simple as it sounds, monitoring what you cook can be tremendously helpful: the NFPA states that nearly one-third of kitchen fires happen when the person cooking leaves the equipment they’re using unattended. If you’re using the oven, just be sure to check in on it regularly!

Also, be sure to keep oven mitts, plastic/rubber utensils, towels, paper products and other flammables away from heat—they can start a fire just as easily as burnt food!

Lastly, be sure to:

• Always stay in the kitchen when frying.
• If you see smoke coming off the food you’re frying, turn off the burner or safely remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a sign the oil is too hot.
• Slowly heat the oil to the temperature you need.
• Add food to oil gently, laying it away from you so that it does not splatter.
• Always keep a lid beside your pan. If the pan does catch fire, cover it with the lid and turn off the banner. Let the oil cool before removing the lid again.
• NEVER put water on a grease fire. If a fire starts to spread, leave the house immediately and call 911.

Of course, there is always a chance that even with the best preparation, unforeseen circumstances can happen. Just remember, if you or someone you know is in need of professional cleanup or restoration services, our 24/7 emergency crews here at SERVPRO® of Craven/Pamlico Counties are #HereToHelp. If you have more questions or need extra information, just give us a call.