Cooking is a great way to relax and destress after a long day, and the result is a delicious home-cooked meal. However, the kitchen is also a place where a majority of house fires originate. Cooking appliances can become compromised, or when left unattended, can cause a fire to ignite in an instant. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were an estimated 172,900 house fires that occurred in the kitchen. If you’ve been a victim of a house fire, trust the experts at Archuleta Restoration and Remodel in Albuquerque to offer professional fire and smoke damage restoration. 

So if a kitchen fire can happen to anyone, what are the leading causes of kitchen fires, and how can you be more aware while cooking? Our experienced professionals at Archuleta Restoration and Remodel break down the common causes, and what you can do after a fire has affected your home.

Cooking Unattended

According to the NFPA, cooking appliances and food left unattended are the leading causes of kitchen fires—with an estimated 31% of total fires being caused by unattended cooking. Even when a recipe seems simple enough and you feel you can leave the kitchen for a moment, there can be a split second where something goes wrong.

Oil, Butter, Fat, Grease

Cooking with oils, butter, lard, or grease are all popular choices for frying or as a means to keep food from sticking to the bottom of pots and pans. While they’re used often in any type of cooking, they can present unique fire hazards as they are highly-flammable and can be ignited in an instant. Oil spreads quickly and can be difficult to clean up after use. High Temperatures

Overly high temperatures can be extremely dangerous in the kitchen. While it may seem like the higher the temperature the faster the cooking, this is misleading and can easily become a fire hazard. 

Loose-fitting Clothing

Another common cause of house fires is the clothing worn while cooking. Loose clothing can easily be caught in an open flame, or a loose thread can get snagged on the stovetop burner. Fabric can quickly become engulfed in flames and cause a kitchen fire to break out. 

These are just a few of the most common causes of kitchen fires, and while cooking can be a stress-free activity, a casual dinner can quickly become your biggest nightmare. If you have experienced a house fire and need professional fire, smoke, and water restoration, the experts at Archuleta Restoration and Remodel will handle all the necessary measures to clean and restore your home. We understand how traumatic a house fire can be, and will handle everything to get your home looking back as it once did. With 24/7 emergency restoration services in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe area, we offer fast, reliable, and professional care you can count on at any time of day. Give us a call at (505) 473-2848 to get started and let our IICRC certified team help you.