When you think of fire safety for your business, chances are you're thinking about your fire sprinkler system or fire alarms. But have you given any thought to fire safety in the office kitchen? The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) states that over 20 percent of commercial office fires start in a kitchen and that cooking equipment is the source of 29 percent of those fires. While office kitchen fires may start small, they can lead to significant structural damage to your office space -- or the building as a whole. 

Many office functions and social gatherings involve food preparation -- working lunches, birthday celebrations, company events, and holiday parties. Be mindful of your employees' safety while enjoying the occasion and know how to practice office kitchen fire safety at your office.

Service or Replace Appliances with Worn or Frayed Power Cords

Conduct semiannual inspections of kitchen appliance power cords to ensure there are no frayed or exposed wires. These wires are a fire hazard. Remember to train employees to report damaged power cords upon discovery so the cord or appliance can be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Do Not Leave Cooking Food Unattended

We all like to think we can multitask, but sometimes we can only concentrate on one thing at a time. This singular focus is even more important when preparing food at the office while attempting to complete other tasks. 

At home, you stand at the stove and watch the food you're cooking. Practice that same care at the office. Employees should be encouraged to exercise basic fire safety and monitor their food while preparing it to ensure it doesn't burn.

Clean and Service Kitchen Appliances Regularly

Many people prepare a quick lunch before a meeting or conference call. Sometimes we leave a mess behind in the microwave or on the stovetop, and some of us are better at cleaning up after ourselves than others. However, accumulated grease or food debris is a fire hazard on or near cooking surfaces -- an easily avoidable problem if everyone does their part and cleans up after themselves in the office kitchen.

Provide Fire Extinguisher Training for All Employees

In the event of a kitchen fire at your office, you want your entire staff fully trained on correctly operating a fire extinguisher. Everyone in your workplace must understand how they can help suppress or put out a fire. Your office -- and your entire business -- could go up in flames if you don't provide your staff with the right training.

Protect Your Business with Fire Safety Training from Frontier Fire

Frontier Fire can help Colorado businesses train their staff on the correct use of fire extinguishers and fire safety practices. We also provide first aid and other kinds of life-saving training your employees can use both at home and work. Frontier Fire has partnered with Colorado businesses since 1960. Contact us online or call today at 303-629-0221