Did you know that unattended cooking remains the leading cause of household fires in the United States and Canada? Here are a few simple steps that you can take to ensure that your kitchen remains safe during cooking:

To prevent cooking fires, follow these safety tips:

• Always stay in the kitchen while you are cooking and keep an eye on your food. Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of cooking fires.
• Be mindful of what you are wearing – wear short or close-fitting sleeves. Loose clothing can catch on fire if it gets too close to the heat source.
• Don’t leave young children unattended in the kitchen; keep a close eye on them. Teach older children how to cook safely.
• Be sure that pot holders, kitchen towels, and curtains are kept away from hot surfaces.
• Turn your pot and pan handles inward. This will prevent them from being knocked and accidental spills from occurring.
• Clean the stove, oven, and burners regularly to prevent grease buildup.
• Store chemicals in a safe space away from heat.
• Never keep gasoline in your house.

If a cooking fire breaks out:

• Call the fire department immediately.
• Put a pan over the flames to help smother a grease or oil fire, turn off the heat, and leave the lid in place until the pan cools. Never carry the pan outside.
• Don’t use water or flour on cooking fires.
• Keep the oven door shut and turn off the heat to smother an oven or broiler fire.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure you have the proper extinguisher and training on how to use it.
• Be sure you have working smoke detectors in your home and that they are tested monthly.
• Do not try to fight large fires on your own! Get out of the house and call 9-1-1.

General Safety Tips

• Regular Inspections: Conduct regular safety inspections of all appliances and cords.
• Education: Stay up to date on safe appliance use and emergency procedures where you are living.
• Fire Safety: Ensure all smoke detectors are working in your unit and that you know how to use a fire extinguisher if necessary.

Remember, a little extra caution in the kitchen goes a long way – cook smart, stay safe, and enjoy every delicious bite!

Source: Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, 2023

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