For some reasons I can not understand or explain, I was not dedicated to this blog. Then someone I respect so much told me yesterday in clear terms that I have to, and I am here today. Whether you are reading this later today, tomorrow or 17 months later, I will like to encourage you never to push to the background whatever you know it is important to your existence. This blog is important to mine.
The last blog was an introduction to Household/Child Safety, and this is starting from the kitchen. I really hope you will find it educating.
THE KITCHEN
This is the place with the highest probability of fire incident. Kitchen fire is totally different from any other fire especially if it is caused by ignited hot oil. The most common kitchen fire starts in a pan or on top of the stove. When this occurs, don’t try to move it because by doing so will only increase the possibility of spreading the flames. Try to extinguish the fire in the pan by slowly sliding a lid over the pan. Don’t throw the lid from a distance or place the lid directly on the pan. By sliding the lid on top of the pan, oxygen is cut off to the fire and as such, it will extinguish. Once this has been achieved, turn the burner off to remove the heat source.Under no circumstances should water be used to put out a fire in a pan, especially if ignited by overheated oil; doing so will only increase the intensity of the fire, causing more damage by spreading the flame to other parts of the kitchen.
If the fire starts in the oven, closing the oven door will cut off the oxygen and smother the fire in most cases. Turn off the oven to remove the heat source and keep the oven door closed. A well designed kitchen should have at least 2 exits, with one leading out of the building and cooker should not be close to the exit(s) from the kitchen. This is to have the exit(s) not quickly blocked by the fire in case of an intense fire that spreads quickly across the room. Chip pans are the most common cause of house fires in the United Kingdom, with around 12,000 chip pan fires every year, with 1,100 chip fires being considered serious. These fires result in over 4,600 injuries, and 50 deaths per year.
Most kitchen fire can be put out quickly if an adequate fire extinguisher (Dry Chemical Powder) is available and used correctly. A fire blanket can be used to extinguish fire in a pan or on a stove, especially the one caused by overheated oil which water must not be use to extinguish. It is important to store the fire extinguisher and blanket away from the cooker so it can be easily reached if a fire occurs. Don’t hang it over the stove or other potential fire areas.
In using the fire extinguisher, remember P.A.S.S;
P - Pull the release pin.
A - Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
S - Squeeze the lever.
S - Sweep from side to side.
In the case of a high intensity fire that cannot be handled, make sure that everyone is out of the house. Call the Fire Service Department and gather everyone out in the front of the building until they arrives.
Once out, stay out!
When in the kitchen;
• Proper clothing is very important. Kitchen fires can ignite your clothing when you're working around the stove. Long, frilly, or loose fitting sleeves are likely to come in contact with the hot surface and catch fire. You should always wear short sleeves when working around a hot stove.
• Never leave the area unattended while cooking. If you must leave the kitchen for any reason while cooking (i.e. phone, doorbell ringing) shut all elements off, or take an oven mitt with you as a reminder.
• Regular cleaning of the cooker, hood, and vent system is also important.
• Don't store cleaning products under the sink, or anywhere that children can reach and ingest them.
Child Safety in the kitchen
• Knives, forks, scissors, and other sharp tools should be in a drawer with a childproof latch
• Dishwasher lock should be installed so kids can't reach breakable dishes, knives, and other dangerous objects.
• Stove lock should be installed and knob protectors placed on the stove knobs.
• Never hold your child while in the kitchen. Children may try to grab hot food or sharp items that could injure them. If a child does grab a sharp item like knife, do not try to pull it out of the child’s hand, instead firmly squeeze the child’s wrist until they let go of the object.
• Chairs and step stools must be positioned away from the stove.
• When cooking, all pot handles on the stove must be turned inward or placed on back burners where children can't reach them.
• Glass objects and appliances with sharp blades stored out of reach
• Garbage can must be behind a cabinet door with a childproof latch.
• Appliances must be unplugged when not in use, with cords out of reach.
• Medicine bottles should be stored in a high cabinet far from reach.
• Matches and lighters stored in a locked cabinet.
• Cabinet under the sink must be free of cleaning supplies, insecticides, dishwasher detergent, and dish-washing liquid because these supplies should be out of the reach of children.
• Bottles containing alcohol must be stored out of reach.
• Any cords or wires must be out of reach.
• Childproof latches should be installed on all cabinet doors.
• There must be a working fire extinguisher.
• The child's highchair must have a safety belt with a strap between the legs.
