Fire department issues tips for cooking safety Published June 6, 2012 By James Palmer, Jr. Fire prevention assistant chief KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The U.S. Fire Administration reports that most fires start in the kitchen. With today's fast pace of life and all the different activities, it is very easy to forget the pan heating on the stove. Suddenly, you smell smoke and remember that you had started cooking. The most common type of fire in the kitchen is when water boils away and the pan becomes empty or food is left on the burner and gets scorched. These usually do not cause a lot of damage. Grease fires are more dangerous and oil is the most dangerous and flammable cooking ingredient, so never leave the room when you have something on the stove with hot oil. A fire can burst out in seconds, so always remain close enough to put out the flames. Open flames can reach out to surrounding cupboards. If left alone, the flames can engulf the kitchen and spread to the rest of the home. The fire prevention section of the base fire department recommends the following: · If you are cooking something greasy, use a wire mesh over the top of the pan. · Clean the stove frequently and do not let the grease build up. · Heat oil slowly and there will be less chance of it splattering on you. · Never heat a pan first and then pour in the oil -- it can burst into flames immediately. · Make sure oil doesn't begin to smoke. The next thing you know, it will be in flames. If oil does get hot, turn off the burner and let it cool down before using it. · Be very careful when adding foods that have been washed in water into the hot oil, it is better to add them when the heat is lower. · Use the right pan size for the intended amount of food to be cooked. A pan that's too large can boil dry too quickly and a pan that's too small will cause food to overflow onto the burner. · Deep fat fryers are also dangerous when cooking with oil. Never leave liquid close to the fryer because it may spill. If it does, it will turn into steam instantly and can violently spray hot oil in all directions. · Also be careful when you add food to a deep fat fryer. If the fat is too hot, or if there are pockets of liquid in the prepared food, the hot fat can spray the oil in all directions. Water and grease don't mix. In the event of a grease fire, never pour water on the fire, it will spread or splatter. Slide a lid over the pan, turn off the stove burner, leave the lid on until it is completely cool. Never remove the heated pan from the stove. Use a fire extinguisher, or when in doubt, get out of the house and dial 911 for emergency assistance from the base or local fire department. In the event of a fire, do not spend a significant amount of time attempting to put it out. Get out of the building and call the fire department. Make sure to provide your complete address, the phone number you are calling from, the location of the fire and inform and whether or not anyone is still inside the home. No matter the reason, never go back into the home until it has been declared safe by the fire department. Remember, it is very important to review the basics of fire prevention with family members. If your household consists of more than one member, it is good idea to gather everyone on a regular basis to summarize the home's fire safety and evacuation plans including two points of exit from the home and the family's meeting place outside the home. All fires on Keesler's property must be reported by calling 911, even if the fire has been extinguished. For more information call 228-377-3330/3333 or stop by the base fire departments at Building 4225 on Hangar Road.