Instead of water to put out a grease fire, what should you use?

Instead of water to put out a grease fire, what should you use?

• A. Water
• B. Baking soda, salt, put a lid on it or use a fire extinguisher
• C. Milk
• D. Sand

Answer: (B)

Grease fires must be starved of oxygen or interrupted, not cooled with water. Water can sink to the oil, instantly turn to steam, and push burning oil up into the air, making the fire spread and flare up rather than die down. The best actions are to smother the flames by sliding a tight-fitting lid over the pan, or to sprinkle baking soda to help smother it, or to use a kitchen-appropriate fire extinguisher. Milk or sand aren’t reliable or practical for stopping a grease fire and can make things worse or harder to control. If the fire grows or you can’t control it, evacuate and call for help.

Grease fires must be starved of oxygen or interrupted, not cooled with water. Water can sink to the oil, instantly turn to steam, and push burning oil up into the air, making the fire spread and flare up rather than die down. The best actions are to smother the flames by sliding a tight-fitting lid over the pan, or to sprinkle baking soda to help smother it, or to use a kitchen-appropriate fire extinguisher. Milk or sand aren’t reliable or practical for stopping a grease fire and can make things worse or harder to control. If the fire grows or you can’t control it, evacuate and call for help.