Imagine you are in the kitchen preparing a nice meal when suddenly flames run amok. You will instinctively look for your fire extinguisher. But wait! What are things you must not do with this fire extinguisher? Knowing what to do and what not to do would have helped you act correctly during an emergency fire scenario.
This post is about the do nots of kitchen fire extinguisher. Fire is dangerous, but knowing how to use the extinguishers properly can save you and your family. You will be guided on what bad choices people make and how to avoid them, and by the end of this post, feel more confident and prepared!
Understanding Kitchen Fire Extinguishers
Of course, before discussing things that should not be done, let’s first talk about what actually a fire extinguisher in the kitchen is. As the name applies, a fire extinguisher is designed especially for small fires that have yet to grow very big.
In the case of kitchens, they hold flammable stuff such as grease and oil which are not exactly difficult to be lit up. Therefore, in the case of fire extinguishers, thus the flames can be doused in a short time.
You will need the correct extinguisher. Find one rated Class K for cooking oil and fat kitchen fires. Let’s now run through some things you should NOT do!
Don’t Use the Wrong Fire Extinguisher
The vast majority of people are going to go running out to a completely wrong type of extinguisher once the kitchen ignites on fire. Try to imagine trying to drown a grease fire with a water extinguisher-these are certainly some things not done in anger and are probably counted as efforts to convert a minor nuisance into something quite large.
A standard water extinguisher would be sufficient for a wood, paper, or fabric fire. It IS NOT appropriate for grease fires. Grease and cooking oil incidents require a Class K extinguisher. You could also use a Class B extinguisher for flammable liquids.
Before putting out any fire, check what type of fire you’re dealing with. Think of it like choosing the right tool for the job. For fires in the kitchen, remember this rule: never use water on grease fires!
Avoid Storing Your Extinguisher in the Wrong Place
Another failure is the wrong placement of a fire extinguisher. For example, there might be a fire breakout that cannot be sighted. Do you imagine when just you spend precious time trying to look around the place with the extinguisher with the flames coming to catch you up?
The best location to put a kitchen fire extinguisher is next to the way out of a door and close enough to reach easily when in the kitchen to cook. Avoid putting the fire extinguisher in a cabinet or the back of a drawer. Everyone knows how to operate it and where it is.
Fit it on the wall below an accessible height. Share with them in your home the location of its installation, in case of fire, they may know where to go.
Never Ignore the Expiring Date
You date every fire extinguisher like you do with milk. So, when you most need it, you are going to have a headache for yourself because, due to procrastination and perhaps a desire to have a new one, you did not use the old one, and when you pull the trigger, it will not work.
Make checking the date a part of your regular routine. Set reminders on your calendar every six months to look at the extinguisher. If it’s expired, replace it right away.
Also, remember to inspect the extinguishers regularly. Check for any rust, leaks, or damage. If anything looks unusual, get a new one. Keeping your extinguishers in top condition means you’ll stay safe and prepared
Not Know How to Use It
Imagine this: there is a fire, and you rush to your extinguisher, but you have NO idea how to use it. Panic starts, and that is not helpful at all!
You should know the extinguisher. Read the instructions on its label. Practice using it in a safe environment, or ask an adult to show you how
Don’t Let the Extinguisher be Blocked
If your fire extinguisher has piles of greasy dishes or grocery bags stopping its access path, then nobody can access it quickly. It should always be kept in an open, unobstructed space.
Put it somewhere easily accessible, especially if the case will make someone run for it in case emergencies arise.
As a matter of technicality, technically speaking, everyone gets the case during the fire time, and each person will receive the case. Fire breakout cases are minute-to-minute activities; therefore, this stage is quite crucial.
Do Not Place It Near Any Flammable Product
Your kitchen could be full of many flammable materials: paper towels, dish rags, or spices. How disgusting it would be to keep a fire extinguisher next to the paper towels. A fire spreads fast enough to reach an extinguisher located next to it.
Ideally, an fire extinguisher should be placed as far away from anything flammable as possible yet close enough to reach when you need it in case of an emergency. Imagine placing it somewhere less likely to cause an emergency. That way, you can save both yourself and your belongings from flames.
Do Not Forget to Educate Others
At times, people will assume that there is someone who knows where to find the fire extinguisher. The situation is NO. Therefore, everyone in your family needs to know about the safety of the kitchen.
Fire drills and discussions on fire safety through meeting with members teach the way to find the extinguisher and, in case needed, use the equipment. Educate the youth also for creating understanding that such knowledge is not optional but imperative regarding fire management.
The better one learns the information, the more secure it becomes.
Conclusion
Knowing what not to do when the fire comes, and your kitchen fire extinguisher would really make all the difference between panic and emergency planning. Don’t forget, too, the right type to choose, the right place to store, and check if it is still within date; second, knowledge of application and items distanced from flammable distance.
Practice teaching your family members the fire safety of the kitchen, which enhances the action of acting during a fire. Even these simple steps ensure you are safe for other people surrounding you. On knowing that cooking experimentation is going to occur, your mind must remain alert and attentive. All that stuff behind an extinguisher is not having it, but rather the right usage.
