The kitchen is a fire’s playroom. Even the slightest mistake could cause an oven fire. While it’s not impossible to put out an oven blaze, preventing extensive damage largely depends on your preparedness and swift execution of the right actions. You, therefore, need to know what to do, and what not to do when an oven catches fire. This article takes you through some common causes of oven fires, how to prevent them, and how do deal with an oven blaze.
Electric, convection, and microwave ovens usually catch fire due to broken electric wires, an electric surge, or improper use. Since ovens stay plugged most of the time, make a habit of counterchecking electric connections to ensure that everything is in place, especially after thorough-cleaning your kitchen. Also, avoid running electric cords under the carpets; frayed electrical cords can ignite the rugs and cause a fire.
Gas ovens, on the other hand, may catch fire if there’s a leak in the gas supply pipe. Rodents can chew on the gas pipe causing it to break and leak. Lack of regular and proper maintenance practices can also cause broken pipes. But mainly, loose connections are the number one cause of gas leaks. To prevent gas oven fires, regularly inspect the connections and tighten any loose pipes. Also, stay alert of any gas leaks and lock the gas supply soon as you smell gas in the air.
Culinary accidents can also cause a fire. Some ingredients such as grease are highly flammable. Use a little too much, and the splattered grease ignites at first contact with the flame. Batter that overflows from the baking tray to the oven surface also ignites. Overcooked food that remains in the fire eventually burns up and causes an oven fire. Additionally, food scraps left inside the oven from previous meals have a decent chance of starting a fire once the you turn the oven on.
Although its normal to feel frightened when confronted with a kitchen fire, please stay calm. To extinguish the fire fast and effectively, you will need a clear mind. Since manufacturers design ovens with fire-control features, you shouldn’t open the oven door during a fire. Doing so only increases the oxygen supply to the oven, which in turn worsens the fire. The right cause of action is to turn the oven off and keep the oven door completely shut. Grab your fire extinguisher and stand at a safe distance then implement the PASS method. Always call 911 if you notice things are getting out of hand. Once the fire is out, use your mittens to open the oven door. It is going to be smoky, so ensure all your kitchen windows are open. Once the smoke clears, remove the hot pan and try to determine the cause of fire before resuming cooking.
Even in the most controlled kitchen environments, oven fires remain a possibility. So, educate your loved ones on the do’s and don’ts of handling oven fires. Additionally, ensure your fire extinguisher is easily accessible at all times and. As a preventive measure, make sure your oven gets a regular inspection from a Winnipeg oven repair professional. Sometimes, all your oven needs is a quick repair and it’s back to that perfect condition. Other times, you might need to replace the appliance. A professional will advise you accordingly.