Keep a Class K fire extinguisher within easy reach, but position it away from the stove. Never pour water onto a grease fire, as doing so can make the flames spread or worsen the situation. If a small pan catches fire and you can approach it safely, place a metal lid over the pan to cut off the oxygen supply rather than moving the pan or pouring any liquid onto it. These basic safety practices also include inspecting your extinguisher regularly and remembering the PASS method: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
The guidance also emphasizes that personal safety must always come first when a kitchen fire breaks out. If the flames spread beyond a small pan fire or your escape path becomes blocked, leave the area immediately and contact emergency services instead of attempting to put out the fire yourself. Together, these precautions provide a practical approach to managing grease fires and other cooking-related flare-ups. They combine having an extinguisher ready, using appropriate methods to smother small fires, and recognizing when to stop fighting the flames and evacuate. Following these steps helps ensure that you use suitable equipment and techniques for grease fires while leaving larger, spreading blazes to trained emergency responders.
