Tips to Help Homeowners Association Residents Prevent Kitchen Fires

Fire can be a fear of residents within a homeowners association. They can break out in all sorts of situations, so it’s always good to remind owners in your community about fire safety. 

Did you know that nearly two-thirds of all kitchen fires start on the range or cook top? To prevent fires in your kitchen, here are some helpful tips to pass along to members in your Association:

• Do not leave food unattended on burners or the stove top, especially if you’re frying food. If you have to step away from the stove or leave the kitchen, turn off the heat or flame and remove the pan from the burner.
  
  
• Keep food packaging, wooden spoons, dish towels, mitts and other fabrics—including your clothing—away from the cooking surface.
  
  
• If food on the stove does ignite, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the stove. Never try to extinguish a kitchen fire with water.  If the flames are unmanageable, leave the kitchen and call 9-1-1 immediately.
  
  
• Grease and food particles that collect in range hoods and stove vents also can be a kitchen fire hazard. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends inspecting and cleaning residential kitchen exhausts twice a year. This is another important bit of information that would be helpful to be shared with the residents in your homeowners association.
  
  
• Shared vent ducts in condominiums should be inspected by a professional at least twice a year. 

For more information, specifically on kitchen fires and ideas for how to prevent them, you can visit the National Fire Protection Association. It’s always a better idea to be pro-active and not re-active, so sending out reminders to your residents in your homeowners association before a problem occurs can be vital. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Related Articles:

Tips from an HOA Board: Help Residents Breathe Easy in Their Homes

Simple Safety Tips to Avoid House Fires in Your Homeowners Association