As summer begins, many people will have cookouts and barbeques. However, many people will suffer burn injuries right in their own kitchen. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we can help victims of fires, whether in their own kitchens or the kitchen of someone else. We also want to provide tips that can help you prevent being the victim of one of these fires.
You May Be Surprised to Learn How Common Kitchen Fires Are
Many people are surprised to learn that kitchen fires are by far the top cause of residential fires and burn injuries in a home. On average, fire departments throughout the country respond to more than 155,000 home fires started in the kitchen each year. These fires lead to an average of around 4,800 injuries, nearly 400 fatalities, and hundreds of millions in property damage.
Do Not Put Anything Flammable Near the Stove
This may sound like an obvious tip, but the truth is that while no one would likely leave fireworks next to the stove, they may leave other very flammable materials near the stove. This can include stove moots, plastic packaging, paper packaging, curtains, cloths, towels, wooden components – the list goes on and on. In short, keep most things far away from the stove.
Do Not Leave Your Hot Stove Unattended
Even if you are leaving the kitchen for just a few minutes, you should not leave your hot stove unattended. It may seem like not much can happen in just a few minutes, but many fires start when the cook just steps away “for a minute.” These fires can start quickly and can spread to the entire kitchen in just seconds.
Use a Timer to Keep Track of When to Remove Items from the Stove or Oven
Even if you are standing right next to a pan, it can still cause a fire. The best way to prevent items from burning, overheating, or causing fires is to make sure that you are keeping an eye on them and taking them off the heat or out of the oven before a fire starts. Setting timers can be a helpful way of keeping track of everything.
What to Do in Case of Fire
If a small grease fires starts, immediately turn off the stove and cover the fire with a lid. If it goes on for more than 30 seconds, call 9-1-1 for immediate help. If you are injured in a fire that was the fault of another party, or was the result of a faulty product, you may have legal recourse. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
