Fire Safety in the Kitchen

Nearly 49% of fires start in the kitchen, according to the National Fire Protection Association. As a former professional chef and now leading my insurance company, this is an area of special concern for me. Kitchen fires are startling, to say the least. Here are some simple tips to prevent one:

• Always remain present in your kitchen when you are cooking food at a high temperature. When simmering, stay nearby and even consider setting a timer to check to see how your meal is progressing.

• Keep kitchen rags, potholders, recipe books, magazines, and any other materials away from the stove.

• Keep cats and other spry pets away from counters.

• Position your panhandles so that they are not in front of the stove (to avoid walking into one or getting it caught on clothing).

• Keep the discipline to keep your stovetop very clean to avoid any grease fires.

• If a small grease fire is to occur, quickly cover the pan with a lid and turn off the heat. Avoid being curious and wait for the pan to completely cool down before looking at what was your meal.

• Always know exactly where your fire extinguisher or fire blanket are located. Be sure they are easy to access.

For more information about fire safety in the kitchen and the rest of the home, consult the American Red Cross Website. For additional information about preventing wildfires that could start at a home (burning debris and/or poorly maintained outdoor equipment can be fire starters), here is some important information from our friend Smokey the Bear.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 908.751.5922 or send an email to

info@jjmprotects.com