Cooking fires are the leading cause or reported home structure fires and civilian injuries. And, the majority of cooking fires are not reported to the fire departments!

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while cooking , and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop.
• Keep the stovetop, oven and burners clean.
• Keep a 3 foot(1 meter) kid free zone around your cooking area.
• If you have cooking fire, when in doubt, just get out, and call 911.
• If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool.
• If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the oven, and leave the door closed. The oven should be checked and / or serviced before being used again.
• To prevent cooking fires, you have to be alert. You won't be alert if you are tired, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.

General Kitchen + Cooking Safety Tips