Florence firefighters encourage cooking safety

FLORENCE — The difference between a perfect meal and a devastating kitchen fire can be a mere matter of minutes.

That’s why local fire officials are urging residents to think before they cook.

“The kitchen can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the home if you don’t practice safe cooking,” Florence Fire Marshal Ken Carr said.

In the past few months, Florence firefighters have responded to several structure fires that were caused by unattended cooking. Each of the fires resulted in significant structure damage, and two firefighters were injured while battling the blazes. One suffered minor injuries, while the other’s burns required treatment at a burn center.

Common sense goes a long way in preventing kitchen fires, but Carr said it’s important to avoid distractions while cooking. Leaving a pot or pan unattended for even a short time can result in tragedy.

“It takes a very short time from something on the stove to go from being cooked properly to a kitchen fire,” Carr said. “Once a pan flashes with an open flame, it’s only about a matter of five minutes before the kitchen can be fully involved in fire.”

When cooking, always have the lid to the pot or pan you are using within an arm’s reach. If you are tending to the stove and the dish flames up, simply take the lid and carefully slide it over the dish from the front side of the stove. This will extinguish the fire. If a fire starts in the oven, do not open the oven door. Leave it closed, and turn it off.

Grease fires are a quick method of disaster, and Carr said most people react to them incorrectly.

“Never pick up the pan and try to take it outside,” Carr said. “A simple turn toward the door, and chances are, you’re going to sling flaming oil onto yourself, the floor, the walls and half the kitchen.”

Children and pets should be kept away from the stove or oven anytime they are in use.

“We like to use the three feet rule. That should be the safety zone so a child doesn’t accidentally hit a handle or pot,” Carr said. “And we don’t think it’s a good idea for a young person to use cooking appliances without adult supervision until they are 15 or so. Children are too easily distracted, and bad things can happen very fast.”

Carr said all residents should keep a kitchen fire extinguisher in the kitchen and learn the proper way to use it long before a dangerous situation arises. In any case, if a fire is too advanced by the time you notice it, do not attempt to fight it.

“We always say, ‘If you’re not comfortable fighting a fire and not trained to do so, which most people aren’t, the best weapon you have is the phone,’” Carr said. “Get everyone out of the house. Go to a neighbor’s, and call 911.”

COOKING SAFETY TIPS

• Never leave boiling, frying or broiling food unattended. If you leave even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

• Check food that is cooking regularly. Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking,

• Keep anything that can catch fire — including oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels and curtains — away from the stovetop.

• Keep stovetop, burners and oven clean.

• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly-rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.

• Always use cooking equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories.

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions and code requirements when installing, cleaning and operating cooking equipment.

• Plug microwave ovens and other cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for cooking appliances as the cord can overload the circuit and cause a fire.

• Check electrical cords for cracks, breaks or damage.