Video: Civil Defense warns that cooking oil fires cannot be extinguished with water and advises against turning any electrical switch on or off

Kuwait officials have warned against the dangers of mishandling kitchen fires, emphasizing the importance of following proper preventive procedures when a fire breaks out due to cooking oil ignition or a gas leak. This warning came in an awareness video published by the General Fire Force on its official social media accounts, which included a set of guidelines aimed at reducing the risks of kitchen fires and handling them safely until fire crews arrive.

The Force stressed that water must never be used in an attempt to extinguish a fire caused by ignited cooking oil, explaining that the safe method involves using a fire blanket or covering the flame source with a wet blanket, and that one should not take unnecessary risks if the fire is out of control.

It added that if the fire cannot be controlled, one should immediately call the emergency number 112, providing the dispatcher with available information about the type of fire and its location, to help fire crews respond as quickly as possible.

Regarding cooking gas leaks, the General Fire Force urged people not to turn any electrical switches on or off inside the premises, and to disconnect the gas regulator from the cooking appliance if it can be done safely. It also advised ventilating the home or facility, identifying the source of the leak, and inspecting the gas system.

The Force stressed the necessity of evacuating the building if there is a danger, staying away from the leak site, and immediately contacting the emergency number 112 to prevent the incident from worsening and to protect lives and property.

The General Fire Force called for adherence to safety guidelines and warned against handling kitchen fires or gas leaks haphazardly, emphasizing that correct actions in the initial moments of an incident can help contain the fire and reduce losses.