Kitchen Safety Tips

When a Fire Starts

Grease fires should be handled carefully. Instinct says to pour water on the fire, but this can be a deadly mistake. In fact, the mixture of water and flaming oil can cause an explosion. Using the same line of thinking, don’t use sugar or flour to control a grease fire. The combination of the grease and these two ingredients will create the explosive force of dynamite. Baking soda works, but it takes quite a bit of powder, which isn’t always close at hand. The safest and most effective way to extinguish a grease fire is to smother it. Use a non-glass lid on a flaming pot or pan to suffocate the fire, and always be ready to dial 911.