A fire in the kitchen is probably one of the worst events that can happen to any of us. According to research, the origin of most home fires is the kitchen because the presence of heat sources such as stoves and electrical appliances, in addition to flammable materials, increases the possibility of fires in this place. Various factors may cause a fire in the kitchen, and most accidents occur due to a lack of sufficient information and negligence. To protect your life and property, we have described some tips from the insurance.com guide about the hidden factors behind kitchen fires.
1. Gas leak and explosion in the kitchen
Gas leakage is one of the most dangerous incidents that must be resolved immediately because it causes gassing, explosion and fire. This problem may occur in all types of stoves and fittings. The main symptom of a gas leak in the kitchen is the smell of gas. After smelling gas, open the windows, check the connections and call a professional technician to fix the problem.
Other signs of gas leakage are:
- Hearing a whistling sound caused by a gas leak;
- The presence of bubbles around the stove.
2. Non-standard kitchen wiring
Wiring in the kitchen must be done according to principles and standards, and failure to comply with these may have irreparable consequences and risks and lead to electric shock or fire.
One of the most critical dangers of kitchen wiring is the existence of unprotected wires. The loss of insulation and the lack of protection of the cables can lead to electrical connections and sparks, which, in the right conditions, can cause a fire.
3. Improper installation of the hood
The hood is one of the essential components of the kitchen, and you should pay enough attention to its safety and health. How the hood is placed and exposed to flames may cause unfortunate fires.
The proper distance between the gas and the hood is one of the essential points. According to the spokesperson of the Tehran fire brigade, the distance between the gas and the hood should not be less than 70 cm; otherwise, if the gas flame is lit, there will be a risk of melting and burning some filters and even burning or catching fire of the hood motor.
4. Using the right amount of flame when cooking
You should never leave food on the stove with a high flame unattended. An empty pan or the presence of oil in it will cause overheating and eventually a fire because the oil and even the inner coating of the pan are flammable.
5. Unsafe use of cooking tools
Appliances that use industrial pressure to cook food, while convenient and time-saving, can also be dangerous. Although these appliances are handy, if careless, they can cause significant problems, the most common of which are explosions and fires.
Some solutions to prevent pressure cooker explosions are:
- Make sure all the parts of your pressure cooker are in good condition.
- After hearing the sound of the whistle, reduce the stove’s flame.
- Never open the pressure cooker until the steam has completely escaped.
6. Side risks of the kitchen
a. smoking
Smoking is one of the events that can lead to an irreparable accident in the kitchen if careless. If your cigarette filter falls on the carpet or even the wires of the kitchen connection due to distraction, it will threaten you with many risks, including causing a fire. For this reason, smoking in the kitchen is not recommended at all.
b. Wearing long-sleeved clothes
It is essential to wear the right clothes when cooking because if the sleeves of the dresses are long or if you wear loose gloves, the possibility of fire increases. Even loose and hanging straps, pockets and belts can catch on hot dishes and cause fires. Wearing appropriate clothes while cooking is recommended to reduce the likelihood of a fire in the kitchen.
J. Leaving the kitchen
Another cause of the fire is leaving the kitchen while cooking. Being in the kitchen while cooking prevents possible risks, and if a fire breaks out, you can control it quickly and avoid unfortunate events such as fire.
d. Washing the kitchen
When washing the kitchen floor, you must pay enough attention to the protective wires and sockets. Otherwise, any contact between water and detergent can cause sparks and fire.
Is there a way to prevent damages caused by these incidents?
Despite excellent care, these unfortunate events sometimes cause irreparable financial damages. The only way to compensate for these losses is to buy fire insurance. Home fire insurance, as a subcategory of property insurance, comes to your aid on the day of the accident and compensates for the fire damage. In building fire insurance, the insurance company is obligated to pay the financial losses caused by fire to the property and movable or immovable assets of the insured. Fire insurance does not cover loss of life.
Fire insurance coverage is divided into two categories: primary risk coverage and additional risk coverage. Primary risk coverage includes financial damages but does not cover personal damages. This policy covers the building, home appliances, and goods in it. Even more, fire insurance covers the costs of fire prevention (purchase of fire extinguishers).
