Kitchen Fire Safety

Safety is everybody's responsibility!

The safety of people is the number one consideration of kitchen fire safety.

Kitchen accidents result from problems with the environment and/or the person. Kitchens are relatively safe places, but when you combine people with the operations of the kitchen and add failure to act appropriately, you have accidents.

Being Safe from Fire:

Clothing and hair:
 

1. Wear appropriate clothing while around open-flame appliances or hot surfaces; loose-fitting long sleeved shirts or open jackets could come into contact with flames or hot surfaces.
    
2. Keep long hair up and confined. Avoid use of flammable hair spray.

Appliances:
 

1. Electrical- unplug portables when unattended. Keep cords away from hot surfaces, water, and near sinks. Report even the slightest shock received from an appliance (except static), note conditions of cords: splices, missing grounding prongs, and use of extension cords for temporary use only.
    
2. Hot Surfaces- Keep free from combustibles: Potholders, boxes, plastic utensils, etc. Turn off hot plates when not in use. Be alert to prevent personal burns. Pot handles should not extend out from oven tops.
    
3. Microwave ovens- Know the dangers. No metal or plastic products; use only approved utensils and ware.

Minimize Kitchen Fire Safety hazards —
Before leaving at the end of the workday:
 

1. Unplug equipment or deactivate circuit breaker.
    
2. Check pilot lights, cooking equipment heat, deep-fat pan fryers.
    
3. Check for and clean up accumulated grease.
    
4. Remove combustibles from near hot surfaces.
    
5. No cigarette smoking in hazardous areas.

Kitchen Vent-Hood Extinguishing System:
 

1. Know the system operation components
    
2. Keep exhaust fan on while cooking
    
3. Know manual activation location and usage
    
4. Clean up spills and practice good housekeeping
    
5. Call the University Fire Marshal at 325-2983 if other problems occur or servicing of the hood extinguishing system is needed

Portable fire extinguishers:
 

    1.     Know the location, type, and purpose
 

    2.     Frequently observe your extinguishers for tampering or damage
 

    3.     Know how to use your extinguishers