Residential Safety Assessment Program

Most fires happen in kitchens

Common household items catch fire first. Here are some quick, easy steps to prevent kitchen fires.

• Don't leave cooking food alone
• Rolling up your sleeves your loose clothes can catch fire
• Cooking with your kids will teach them kitchen safety
• Cleaning your kitchen can keep the grease build up down
• Flammable items belong away from the stove top
• Keep pan handles turned in to avoid spilling food that can catch fire
• Try not to plug in too many appliances into one outlet
• Keeping your cords in good shape will also prevent fires
• Your children and pets shouldn't play around the cooking area during cooking

Experiencing a fire can cause panic

Stay calm and try some of these ways to put the fire out.

• Try to slide a pan lid over the flames to smother the fire, don't carry the pan outside
• If the fire is in your oven, turn the heat off to put the fire out
• Unplug the microwave if a fire starts in it
• Keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen is a great way to stop a fire from spreading. Make sure the extinguisher is ABC rated. Ensure that you know how to use it.
• Evacuate the area and call 911 for any fires that do not go out!

If you get burned try these tips

• Run cool water over the burned area for 5 to 10 minutes
• If the burn blisters, see a doctor, the burn can be worse that it appears
• If the burn is charred, on your face, or covers more than 5% of your body, call 911 for help
• Stop! Drop! and Roll!

Candles are great when used safely

Follow these tips to stay safe:

• Keep a one foot area free from anything that can burn
• Don't let anything touch the flame
• Use a sturdy metal, glass or ceramic container to hold the candle
• Don't leave the room of a candle burning
• Put your candles out when you go to bed
• Keep candles out of your children and pet's reach

Make sure to keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. Store these in a high locked cabinet.

Candles can be dangerous. Use them with caution. Fires started by candles are the leading cause of deaths in Michigan homes.