Fireline Blog Seattle Fire Department

Fire Line

News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Fire Prevention Month Tip: Cooking Safety

by

Be alert when cooking, don’t leave cooking unattended and cover small pan fires with a lid.

Let’s Talk Cooking! This week we are highlighting the leading cause of home fires: UNATTENDED COOKING.

Most home fires start in the kitchen when a person starts cooking and forgets about the food on the stove.  It is easy to get distracted by a person, another task, a phone call or an electronic device.

Severely damaged kitchen after a stove fire

Please consider the following cooking safety tips before you cook your next meal:

  • Stay Put – stay in the kitchen when cooking
  • Use a Timer – always use a timer when cooking to remind you that the stove is on
  • Clean Up – keep the stove area clean and free of flammable objects
  • Use Lids and Covers – keep a lid or cookie sheet near the stove in case of fire

If there is a fire:

  • Never pour water on a grease or oil fire
  • The best way to put out a small pan fire:
    • Slide a lid or cookie sheet over the pot or pan
    • Turn the burner off
    • Do not move a burning pan
    • Remove the lid only after the fire is out and the pan is cooled off
  • If the fire is large and/or has spread to other items, get out quickly and if possible, close the door behind to prevent fire from spreading to other rooms
  • Call 9-1-1 after you’ve left the house or building

Thank you for tuning in to our 2021 Fire Prevention Month safety tips! We have so much more to share, so continue to visit us frequently and stay tuned for new fire and life safety videos in multiple languages and American Sign Language: HERE

Learn more about cooking fire safety

Home Cooking Fire Safety Tips

by

Recent Seattle home fires caused by unattended cooking are reminders about the precautions all people who use a stove should take before turning on a burner.

Cooking-related fires are the number one cause of home fires.

Safety Precautions

• Do not leave cooking unattended on the stove. A serious fire can start in just seconds.

• Keep the stove and oven clean. Butter, oil and other greasy foods left on the stove can catch fire.

• Keep children and pets away from the stove while cooking.

• Keep items that can catch fire, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, at least three feet away from the range top.

• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home. Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house.

If a fire starts in a pan, turn off the stove and carefully cover the pan with a lid or another pan. Do not move it until it is cool.

And finally, use timers when cooking and make sure your smoke alarms work.