The kitchen serves as the center of the bustle every holiday season. While cooking is an everyday activity, one can sometimes forget that something so routine can be the source of an unexpected disaster.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that unattended cooking is the top cause of home structure fires, the peak days being Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. A grease fire is one of the many problems that can occur in your kitchen in the coming weeks, so read these tips to learn how to handle it!
The key to managing a grease fire is quick thinking. When it occurs, perform the following:
- Do not use water to put out a grease fire! This will cause it to spread and burn other items.
- Further, do not use flour, baking powder, or dinnerware on a grease fire.
- Use baking soda or salt to smother small flames.
- Slowly slide the lid over the pot or pan and turn off the burner or heat source.
- Use a Class K fire extinguisher only as a last resort, since it can be messy.
- When the fire gets out of control, leave the property immediately and call 911 or your local fire department.
Cleaning Up After a Grease Fire
Extinguishing a grease fire is the least of your problems. Here’s what you can do to clean up the remains of the fire:
- Grease residue is foul-smelling and difficult to clean. Exposure to soot and smoke after a grease fire can lead to health problems. It's best to stay somewhere else while the affected area is undergoing cleanup and repairs.
- Food contaminated by soot and smoke must be thrown away.
- Check your cabinets for soot and smoke residue and wipe them down. If you need repainting, repairs, or smoke and odor removal in Venice, FL, call the professionals at ServiceMaster by Wright.
- Replace your air filters.
- Check your appliances for damages.
- To bring your kitchen back to operational condition, it's best to schedule an appointment with a professional fire damage restoration company in Venice, Florida. That way, you can return to your holiday activities in no time.
Don't Know What to Do Next? We Do.
Don’t let a grease fire ruin your holidays! If you ever experience one, contact ServiceMaster by Wright at (941) 265-2995 to schedule an appointment. We’ll be on location at the earliest possible time. You can also send us a message online.
We provide soot and smoke damage restoration in Venice, FL, and nearby areas.
