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Grease Fire

A fire on a stovetop is a popular cinematic device to injure a villain or to create a moment of laughter. While it is certainly dramatic, it is by no means a laughing matter. Grease fires must be smothered. Under no circumstances can you put one out with water — that will only scatter the burning grease and create more havoc. First, put on a pair of oven mitts to protect your hands. If the fire is in a pan or pot, try covering the flames with the vessel's lid, a larger lid or a cookie sheet. Try to slide the lid or sheet over the pot, rather than dropping it on top (you may scatter the grease and flames). For a fire extending beyond a pan to the stovetop, douse it with a liberal amount of baking soda first, then try a fire extinguisher. If using a fire extinguisher make sure you activate it a good distance from the flames, then walk toward the fire. DO NOT try to remove the pan from the stove while it is on fire.