HINTS FROM HELOISE
Dear Heloise:
I went to a housewarming party recently and, like everyone else, I brought a gift. It was a fire extinguisher. However, the hostess was greatly offended that I would bring an extinguisher for her kitchen, and said so in an email! She asked if it was a comment on her cooking skills. She claims if she has a kitchen fire all she has to do is toss cornstarch on the flames. Isn’t that a little dangerous?
— Kelly A., Denver
Kelly, cornstarch and flour are combustible materials and could possibly cause an explosion.
Some people panic and toss water on a grease fire, which causes the flames to spread.
Baking soda can be used in place of an extinguisher on a small fire, but a fire extinguisher is really the best thing to use.
I think your housewarming gift was a terrific idea!
— Heloise