Alyssa Ridenour
reporter@greenepublishing.com
With everyone at home and cooking more due to the pandemic, Madison County Fire Rescue (MCFR) wants to spread the word on how to stay safe and prevent fires in the kitchen. Naturally, fire safety starts with you.
The biggest mistake people make is leaving food on the stove or in the oven unattended. Jason Matchett, with MCFR advises all households to have a fire extinguisher available for use in case of an emergency. He explains that most households either don't have one or they have it stored away under the kitchen sink where it is difficult to get to in a hurry. When using a fire extinguisher, it is important to implement the PASS method. Pull the pin. Aim at the base of the fire. Squeeze the handle. Sweep side to side.
If the fire is insuppressible, sound the alarm, call 911 and get out. If time permits, close all doors and windows to help contain the fire and notify anyone in the area to evacuate. If smoke becomes dense, get low to the ground and crawl out to avoid inhaling the smoke and losing consciousness. Not getting low is a fatal mistake that many adults make in a fire, causing them to black out before they reach the exit. Always make sure to go over emergency fire escape plans with your family and take extra care in explaining to children that they have to get out. They can't hide. Hiding is what causes many children to get stuck where they can't be reached.
When it comes to fires in the kitchen, they are often grease fires. Grease fires are different from other fires because they can't be put out with water. Water will actually cause a grease fire to spread, allowing it to grow in size. If the grease fire is still small, place a lid over the pot or pan to deplete the fire of oxygen. Fire cannot exist without oxygen. Also, be sure to immediately turn off the heat source. As a last resort, use a Class B dry chemical fire extinguisher. If all else fails, call 911.
If you have a fire and manage to put it out on your own, the fire department advises that you still call them so they can come check the area with thermo equipment to ensure that there isn't a heat source in the ventilation system or in the fan over the stove. Sometimes all it takes is some trapped smoke and a heat source to spark another fire. Matchett explains that smoke is a collection of unburnt particles. Smoke can contain hundreds of chemicals and fumes. Visible smoke is mostly carbon, tar, oils and ash.
Never go back inside for anything! Your life is not worth risking for monetary items of value. You should also avoid returning to the building for pets. Animals are typically very resourceful and can find their own way out of a crisis.
For more fire safety tips, follow the Madison County Fire Rescue Facebook page at www.facebook.com/madison-county-fire-rescue.