NFPA Cooking & Kitchen Fire Safety Tips
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers clear, actionable guidance to help prevent kitchen fires—especially since cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries.
Here’s a breakdown of their top safety tips:
General Cooking Safety
- Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling. If you leave (even for a short time) turn off the stove.
- Keep flammable items like oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels, and food packaging away from stovetops.
- Turn pot handles inward to prevent accidental spills or burns.
- Watch for smoke or boiling grease—these are signs the heat is too high. Turn off the burner immediately.
What to Do If a Fire Starts
- Keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it’s completely cool.
- Never use water to extinguish a grease fire—it can cause the fire to spread.
- If the fire doesn’t go out quickly, evacuate and call 911 from outside.
Maintenance & Prevention
- Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup.
- Install smoke alarms in or near the kitchen and test them monthly.
- Know how to use a fire extinguisher, remember the PASS method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.