Meal times are the most cherished part of the day for many people, but preparing a meal also has its risks. Cooking has long been the most common cause of fires in American homes, with kitchen fires accounting for half of all home fires – nearly 173,000 per year. These fires cause 21% of all home fire deaths, 44% of all home fire injuries and cause $1.2 billion in property damage each year. These numbers don’t even consider the added emotional toll of losing treasured possessions or having to rebuild your life if your home is destroyed.
The good news is that by learning how to prevent kitchen fires you can significantly reduce your risk. In addition to always having a fire extinguisher handy, below are fire safety tips for your everyday kitchen appliances.