How Often Do Kitchen Fires Happen?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen while food is cooking. Beyond being common, cooking fires are also deadly. On average, they cause 44 percent of home fires, 15 percent of home fire deaths and 38 percent of home fire injuries each year.

How many kitchen fires happen each year?

US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 172,900 home structure fires per year started by cooking activities in 2014-2018. These fires caused an average of 550 civilian deaths, 4,820 reported civilian fire injuries, and more than $1 billion in direct property damage per year.

Are kitchen fires the most common?

1. Kitchen fires . The most common type of fire in the U.S. is the kitchen fire. The reason that the kitchen is the source of many fire hazards is because the kitchen is where heat, electricity, water, and grease come together.

What percent of home fires start in the kitchen?

According to information from the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the U.S. Almost half — 44% — of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Sixty-six percent of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

What is the most common cause of kitchen fires?

Kitchen fires are most often caused by: Leaving cooking food unattended . Placing combustibles too close to the heat source . Unintentionally turning on or not turning off the equipment.

What are the 4 stages of fire?

  • Ignition.
  • Growth.
  • Fully Developed.
  • Decay.

What appliance causes the most house fires?

  1. Refrigerator. A refrigerator is cold, making it unthinkable that the appliance can catch fire. ...
  2. Dishwasher. A dishwasher is built with heating elements that dry clean dishes. ...
  3. Dryer. ...
  4. Stove. ...
  5. Microwave. ...
  6. Toaster.

What's the number one cause of fire?

Cooking . Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for 48% of all reported residential fires. It is also the leading cause of home fire injuries and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Home Structure Fires 2019 Report.

Where do most home fires start?

Where are home fires most likely to start? Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home. The second leading cause of home fires are heating sources like , and fireplaces. Fires caused by smoking are the leading cause of deaths.

What will you do when a small fire starts in your kitchen?

  1. If the fire is small, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the burner.
  2. Throw lots of baking soda or salt on it. Never use flour, which can explode or make the fire worse.
  3. Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large wet cloth.
  4. Use a fire extinguisher.

What should you not do in a kitchen fire?

  1. Again, do not try to put the grease fire out with water. It's more likely to cause the burning oil to splash, spreading your grease fire. ...
  2. Don't move the pot or pan, as burning fat or oil can splash about your home. ...
  3. Don't try to substitute baking powder.

What foods cause fire?

  • Garlic. Why it's risky: This potent food is packed with lots of natural oil, so it burns quickly and pops when placed in a hot pan, causing oil to splatter into the burner. ...
  • Bacon. ...
  • Deep-fried stuffed peppers. ...
  • Flour. ...
  • Alcohol-based sauces. ...
  • Peanut brittle and other ultra-sugary foods.

Can burning food cause fire?

Sometimes food scraps or other items might be left in your oven, and they could catch fire. Forgetting something in the oven can also lead to burned food, lots of smoke and in some instances, a fire. If you are cooking something with a lot of fat and grease, it can splatter and cause a flame.

What is a Level 1 fire?

1. Is a short term, temporary warning indicating the presence of dangerous combinations of temperature, wind, relative humidity, fuel or drought conditions which can contribute to new fires or rapid spread of existing fires. A “Red Flag Warning “ can be issued at any of the above Fire Danger levels. RED FLAG.

What are the 3 stages of fire?

of fire, how fire develops and significant events which can occur during a fire. Traditional Fire growth in a room can be divided into three distinct stages: the growth stage (incipient), the fully developed stage (free-burning), and the decay stage (smoldering) .

What is Stage 1 of the 4 key stage of fire?

1. Incipient –Incipient is known as the first stage of fire. As the fire triangle elements like oxygen, fuel and spark/heat combine with each other and continuous chemical reaction resulting is breaking out of fire. This incipient stage of fire is also known as ignition.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.