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Solera CERT Cadre Are home fires a big problem in the United States? Sadly, yes. Last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 74,000 disasters, 93 percent of them were home-related fires. This is a devastating fact since many home fires can be prevented. Kitchen Fires Heat is important when cooking, and oils and fats are often used in kitchens. These products are used to fry and sauté foods, and when they catch fire, they must be brought under control immediately. Some examples of cooking oils and fats include: • Vegetable oils like canola, corn, and safflower • Olive oil • Butter • Margarine • Lard • Bacon grease Cooking oils and fat will burst into flames on the stove top, in the oven or on the grill, when overheated. There is also a risk of causing such a fire when these substances are overheated in the microwave. If fire breaks out, you need to handle it carefully and swiftly. DO • Turn off your heat source. • If the flames are small, baking soda can extinguish them if you pour it on liberally. Covering your cookware with a metal lid might also help, as the fire will die out if you block oxygen. • If things are still out of hand, spray the base of the flames with a class B dry chemical fire extinguisher. • If you lose control of the fire, evacuate the home and call 911. DON'T • Don't try to put a cooking fire out with water. It's more likely to cause the burning oil to splash, spreading your grease fire. Rapidly vaporizing water might also feed the fire. • Don't move the pot or pan, as burning fat or oil can splash about your home. The impulse to move your problem from the range to the sink or out the front door might be high, but you're risking severe burns and plenty of property damage. • Don't try to substitute baking powder. For instance, using flour will add to the fire, as will most baking products. "Baking soda" is the only common kitchen substance that will give you an extinguishing reaction. To learn more about mitigating home fires, visit the CERT page at https://www.ready.gov/home-fires. The American Red Cross also a great website on the topic https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how- to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire- preparedness.html. This article was brought to you by Ray C. Gayton-Jacob, coordinator for the City of Beaumont CERT program at Solera, https://www. solera-cert.info. Ray is also a Supervising Volunteer with the American Red Cross. FIGHTING A KITCHEN FIRE • For Seniors By Seniors Take responsibility to protect your life! Prepare NOW for a sudden emergency | LIFE IN SOLERA | MARCH 2023 | 9