Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity, and can be relaxing. But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? According to the NFPA, almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Ranges or cooktops accounted for the majority (62%) of home cooking fire incidents, and Ovens accounted for 13 percent.

By following a few safety tips, you can help prevent these fires.

Cook with Caution

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy, don't use the stove.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home 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 stove.
• Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• Turn pot handles to the back of the stove to prevent spilling hot food or liquids.

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