STOP Restoration of Albuquerque, NM realizes that when a fire occurs in your home, it comes unannounced and if not handled properly, it can destroy your property and belongings, leaving you with fire and smoke damage. Your kitchen is one of the most common areas for fires to occur, which makes sense because it houses multiple appliances that transfer heat: your oven, microwave, stovetop, toaster and more. The STOP Restoration knows that the faster you react to a kitchen emergency, the less likely it is that a fire will spread.
The best way to extinguish any fire is to cut off its oxygen supply. For fires in your oven or microwave, the best thing to do is to shut the door and turn off the heat. It’s also wise to grab a dry chemical fire extinguisher or throw baking soda over the fire before closing the door. (Be sure that you don’t use other powders like flower or baking powder, they are not heavy enough to stop the flames and in some cases can make the situation worse!) After the fire has been put out, leave the door closed for at least half an hour as a precaution.
If a pan you are cooking with catches fire, turn off the stove burner, cover the pan with its lid and promptly cut off the fire’s oxygen supply. If you don’t have a lid, try to cover it with a cookie sheet or pizza pan. If the flame is too large to safely cover it, throw baking soda on it or use a dry chemical fire extinguisher. As with your oven or microwave, leave the pan alone for at least a half hour.
If you cannot safely extinguish a fire yourself, make sure that everyone is safely out of your home and call 911 immediately! You should always have an escape plan in the case of an emergency.
What You Shouldn’t Do:
- Don’t try to use a towel or other piece of fabric to put out the flames, as fabric is very flammable and will likely catch fire.
- Never attempt to use water to extinguish a grease fire. It is extremely dangerous and will cause the fire to erupt and spread.
- Do not move a burning pot or pan from your stovetop, because you could easily spill burning fat or grease, causing the fire to extend throughout your home.
The experts at STOP Restoration of Albuquerque, NM are expertly trained in fire damage repair and smoke restoration. Our trained professionals are experts in smoke and fire damage cleanup are certified through the IICRCin deodorization. If you experience a fire in your home or business, call the STOP Restoration immediately because time is of the essence. We are available 24/7 for emergency services and can be reached at (505) 892-3112.
