Put a Lid On It

7/6/2017 (Permalink)

See that picture to the right? That’s a picture from one of our local jobs! Unfortunately, it happens all too often. Some, not all, of these can be prevented and we are here to tell you how.  In most cases, stove top fires occur when cooking oil gets too hot.  That temperature varies from product to product.  Cooking oils can ignite from 520°F up to 670°F. 

      Here is what to do if and when that happens:

• Call 911. They don’t mind showing up to a house when the fire is already out but when home fires occur, every second counts!
• Fire is a rapid oxidation reaction.  If you remove oxygen, that reaction stops.  So put a lid on your cooking.  It may take a minute, but that one simple action can sometimes be all it takes to stop a stove top fire.  If you don’t have a lid for that pot or pan, try sliding a cookie sheet over it.
• Remember, the fire occurred because the oil reached the temperature in which it ignites at. The next stop is to turn off the heat to try.
• Do not pour water on the burning pot and do not try to move it to a different location.
• If the steps above do not help put out the fire, use your kitchen fire extinguisher to try and put out the fire and wait in a safe area for the fire department to arrive.

     Just remember to use caution. Don’t try and turn up the heat to get your pot to heat up faster- because you may forget to turn it back down. Stay around the stove and keep an eye on your cooking. In the event that a fire isn’t prevented and causes any damage, we are here to help make your disaster “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Lee County is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (334)-821-4858!