It has been three years ago this month I had a kitchen fire and panicked. When the fire got out of hand, all I could think about was calling 911 and getting my dog and myself out of the house. We had extensive fire damage to the kitchen and extensive smoke damage to the entire house. We were out of our house for three months.
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Hi Bobbie!
Everything you mentioned is correct but you forgot one very quick and very thrifty way to put out a grease fire, or most any kind of fire for that matter.
One open box of COW BRAND BAKING SODA kept inside your REfRIGERATOR. In case of fire, throw a handful or two directly on the flames.
Years ago, I was living at my Mom's house when our tenant phoned and screamed that her apartment was on fire and that the fire was in the electrical box. When I arrived, two local firemen were standing and looking at the fire, unable to do anything.
Hi Bobbie
Well I know how your feel. I have done the same thing, coming home putting my handbag on my stove top and without my little dog alerting me to the fact there was a fire in my kitchen who knows what would have happened to us. I found a fire blanket was so good, lets hope we both have learnt our lesson.
Gail - Adelaide, Australia
After reading this I decided to go get a kitchen fire extinguisher after work! Thank you for sharing your story. It could easily happen to anyone.
I think one of the readers meant if you have a stove or oven kitchen fire, water is a NO NO. Make sure when you purchase your fire extinguisher, it is correct for where you are storing it. They are ABC, indicating use. My kitchen counter has a cooking/grease fire extinguisher on it. Who cares what it looks like when you need to use it. It is on the counter. Know where your pan lids are.
Mine are in a lower cupboard by the stove area... contains pizza pans that work to cover a large area. If you are using soda as your source for extinguishing, you should have about a 2 gallon bucket filled with the soda, if you plan to use this. One small pound box won't do you much good.
You can get commercial sized buckets of this by checking online. But an extinguisher would be cheaper.
I store the basement extinguisher by the washing machine. See it daily, get used to knowing where it is. In a panic, you are useless if you can't remember where it is. Also have another one in another area of the basement.
Sleeping area upstairs... kept in the bathroom on the floor under the light switch. Also one in my bedroom under the light switch.
Along with knowing where the extinguishers are, your CO as well as fire/smoke detectors need to have their home spot, know where they are.
Above all, make sure all have been certified, current, new, they have expiration dates...extinguishers, detectors, etc. Change batteries twice a year as suggested. Your extinguisher should have a gauge which tells you if pressure is good or not.
Communities with fire departments... do not be afraid to ask if someone can check your extinguishers. You don't have to take it to a commercial place. A simply look/check will tell you. Communities often have a day of remembrance to do all these, and the opportunity for public service in bringing your pieces to the FD.
Many of the lower prices extinguishers are not refillable. Keep that in mind when you buy. A $20 one versus a $40 one, means not replacing but refilling.
2 of my kids are firemen, have many other relatives as that too. In the family are EMT, EMS as well. If you are prepared, and practice run your response, know what are bad practices to avoid, you should be safe.
Spring and fall are the times our community does these safety reminders. Also, run through your plan IF you have an emergency like this. We also have severe weather, and so practice for that as well. You can never be too ready.
This does not mean set yourself in panic mode. Just know what to do. And remember, calling on a cell phone does not mean they have your address. Remember your address you are calling about the fire. A cell phone reader can read your number but not your location. (Another son with the sheriff dept!)
Oh, and I have bought these products for family members as birthday and Christmas gifts... better than that sweater someone returns!
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