Did you know?
- Unattended cooking is by far the leading contributing factor in home cooking fires.
- Two-thirds (67 percent) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
- Clothing was the item first ignited in less than one percent of these fires, but these incidents accounted for 16 percent of the cooking fire deaths.
- Stoves accounted for the largest share (58 percent) of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 16 percent.
- Three of every five (57 percent) reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves.
- Frying poses the greatest risk of fire.
Cooking safety tips:
- Cook only where it is permitted.
- Keep your cooking area clean and uncluttered.
- Never leave cooking unattended. We recommend low and medium temperature settings.
- NEVER pour water on a grease fire. This can lead to serious injury and extensive damage.
- If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.
- Know how to use your fire extinguisher and where it is stored. If stored under the sink, ensure it is kept in the foremost part of the cabinet.
- Know when a fire is too large to handle with an extinguisher. Any fire larger than the size of a vanity wastebasket is considered too large; you should evacuate immediately and dial 9-1-1.
Source: National Fire Protection Association: www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_ fire_prev/cooking.shtm