What South Hill Homeowners Should Know About Electrical and Kitchen Fire Prevention
Last updated 2024-04-20
Common Ignition Sources in Newer Subdivision Homes
South Hill's newer homes generally carry a different fire risk profile than the older Craftsman-era houses closer to downtown Puyallup. Instead of aging wiring, the bigger risks tend to be kitchen cooking accidents and overloaded circuits from the sheer number of appliances and electronics a modern household plugs in at once. A kitchen with a range, microwave, dishwasher, and small countertop appliances all running can strain a circuit that was not sized with all of that demand in mind. Garages used for extra storage space or a workshop also add extension cords and power tools into the mix, which is another common source of electrical fires in newer South Hill construction. Unattended cooking remains the single most common cause of kitchen fires, regardless of how new or old the house is.
Kitchen and Outlet-Load Basics
Never leave the stove unattended while something is actively cooking, and keep a lid nearby when frying so you can smother a grease fire quickly the moment one starts. Avoid running several high draw appliances off the same outlet or power strip, since that is exactly the kind of overload that leads to a tripped breaker or, worse, an overheated connection behind the wall. Have any outlet that feels warm, sparks, or smells faintly burnt checked by a licensed electrician before it becomes a bigger, more expensive problem. Clean grease buildup off the stovetop and range hood regularly, since built up grease can catch fire on its own near a hot burner.
What to Do the Moment a Fire Starts
If a small grease fire starts, turn off the burner right away if it is safe to reach, and slide a lid over the pan rather than trying to move it. Never use water on a grease fire, since that can cause the flames to spread instantly across the kitchen. If a fire grows beyond something you can smother in seconds, get everyone out of the house immediately and call the fire department from outside rather than trying to fight it yourself. If your South Hill home just had an electrical or kitchen fire, call us and we will assess the damage and start cleanup right away.