You Need a Fire Extinguisher

If you don’t have one, go buy one. Right now. Don’t read the rest of this post and whatever you do don’t try to roast a chicken in a pan that is too small before you get one!

We had luckily bought a fire extinguisher after having to use our last one a year ago when I bought a 1979 VW Rabbit that had an engine fire as we drove it into the garage. It was a small kitchen fire extinguisher that I had placed under the sink in the kitchen, which came in handy when I caught the oven on fire last week.

I was just roasting chicken in a pan I had used many times before but I guess there was more liquid/oil than there had been previously and it splattered over the inside of the oven, eventually catching the elements on fire. At least this is what I think my husband said happened. I just opened the oven door to a giant fire ball, watched the hubby spray the inside of it with the fire extinguisher and rushed the dogs outside (who are so trained, or the fire alarm going off is common enough, that all four were waiting by the door for me to open the back door).

Needless to say, the chicken didn’t make it and neither did the stove. I had two days of cleaning to get all the fire extinguisher dust up from all of our surfaces. Thankfully, no one was hurt and nothing but a chicken and a stove were damaged.

I realize this isn’t a frugal topic but it is important nonetheless. Fire extinguishers can seem expensive but are one of those items you do not want to be frugal on! Go buy one if you don’t have one and make sure you know how to use it.

Silver Lining: New stove arrives tomorrow afternoon!