How Should I Respond to a Grease Fire?

A grease fire can rapidly rage out of control if not correctly addressed. While the best way to handle a grease fire is to avoid it, sometimes circumstances in the kitchen get out of control, and it is important to know how to manage a grease fire if one should arise. The most important thing to remember is that it is important to stay calm and assess the situation: if the fire is getting too large or out of control, evacuate the house immediately with family members and pets, and call the fire department for assistance using their emergency phone number.

Most grease fires start due to lack of attentiveness. Keep an eye on the kitchen while you cook, and make sure to keep your work surfaces clean: wipe spills off the stove, do not leave dirty dishes sitting around, and keep your space tidy so that there is less detritus for a fire to feed on. In addition, make sure that you dress sensibly while cooking: wear clothing that is form fitting, rather than loose, and keep long hair pulled back. Keep the vents for hot appliances clear, and check them regularly to make sure that they are not clogged.

If a grease fire starts, your response should vary depending on how large it is and where it is. If the fire is small and in a pan, gently slide a lid over the fire to suffocate it, lifting the lid after 20 minutes to confirm that the fire is out. If grease on the stove or in the oven catches fire, extinguish it using a class B fire extinguisher, if you can. Baking soda can also be used to smother a grease fire, but do not under any circumstances use water, which can cause the fire to spread or splatter you with burning grease. If your clothing or hair catches fire, stop, drop, and roll to put the flames out, preferably on a tile floor that is less likely to catch fire than carpeting.

If the grease fire was small enough for you to manage yourself, check the area carefully to make sure that the fire is completely out. Remember that fires can spread inside walls, so if the wall is scorched or feels hot, leave the house and call the fire department to have them make a safety check. Be cautious about touching the area of the grease fire, as melted appliances and other things damaged in the fire could still be extremely hot. Clean up carefully after the fire, discarding damaged materials, and air the room out for several days to get rid of the smell of smoke.

If the grease fire was large enough to merit a visit from the fire department, wait for them to tell you that entering the home again is safe. They may inspect the home and find signs that the structural integrity has been compromised, and that this needs to be addressed before you can go inside again. The fire department may also have safety suggestions for you about kitchen layout and fire safety: follow them so that you can avoid the recurrence of a grease fire.