Kitchen fires can have devastating effects. All it takes is a neglected stove or the wrong object placed too close to the burner to cause irreparable damage to a home, or worse, to people and pets you love. With all the oils we use while cooking, it's important to know how to put out a grease fire…and the horrible things that can occur if you don't do it right.
The Slow Mo Guys have created a fascinating and terrifying video that shows exactly what happens when you put water on a grease fire. The water, which is heavier than oil, sinks to the bottom of the pan and immediately turns into vapor thanks to the high temperatures. This causes a fireball which can burn everything and everyone it touches. In short, do not put water on a grease fire!
This video is pretty scary, but the good news is that there are other ways to put out a fire like this. First and foremost, call 911 just in case things get worse or the fire can't be put out. Then, the goal is to stop oxygen from getting to the fire. Covering the source of the fire with baking soda, flour, another pot or pan, or a damp (but not sopping wet) towel can all help smother the fire if you don't have an extinguisher immediately available. Or you could get your hands on this invention that actually helps put out fires through the power of sound!
Because almost half of all residential fires are caused by cooking, it's important to know what to do if the worst should happen. It's our first instinct to put water on a fire, but remaining calm and taking the right course of action can mean the difference between a scary moment and a life-changing tragedy.
Everyone needs to know about this important safety fact! Make sure to SHARE this video with everyone you know. It could save a life.
