Fire Safety Tips: Cooking

• When cooking, stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on the stove.
• Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
• Keep towels, pot holders, curtains, and paper products away from the stove.
• Keep the stove and oven clean to prevent grease build-up.
• If a cooking fire starts, smother it with a pot lid. Never throw water on a grease fire.
• Heat oil slowly to avoid splattering. Be extra careful when frying foods.
• When cooking in a microwave, do not use metal objects or aluminum foil (they could start a fire).
• If a fire starts in the microwave, keep the door closed.
• Check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave your house to be sure all appliances are turned off.
• Get a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it.
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
• Make a fire escape plan and practice it monthly.

Cooking Fire Facts

• Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States.
• Cooking is the leading cause of home fire injuries.
• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires.
• Between 1999 and 2002, cooking fires caused about 290 deaths and 4,380 injuries each year.