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Cooking Fire Safety

Make safety part of every meal. Explore practical ways to prevent kitchen fires and learn what to do if a cooking fire starts.

Make safety part of every meal. Explore practical ways to prevent kitchen fires and learn what to do if a cooking fire starts.

Cooking Fire Safety Facts

  • Unattended cooking is the leading factor in home cooking fires.
  • Ranges accounted for the largest share of home cooking fire incidents.
  • Frying poses the greatest risk of fire.
  • Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.
  • Two-thirds of home cooking fires started when food or other cooking materials caught fire.

Cooking Fire Safety Tips

  • Be on alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
  • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains — away from your stovetop.

Educational Videos

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Share These Safety Tips

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Content Source: National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration

National Fire Protection Association

U.S. Fire Administration

Downloadable resources

Recipe for Fire-Safe CookingCook Safely: Prevent Kitchen Fires

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