Kitchen Fires: The #1 Cause of Home Fires and How to Prevent Them

Cooking causes nearly half of all home fires in the United States. A handful of habits will keep your kitchen — and your family — safe.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. The good news: nearly every kitchen fire is preventable with a few consistent habits.

Stay in the kitchen

Unattended cooking is the number-one factor in cooking fires. If you're frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food, stay in the kitchen. If you have to leave, even for a minute, turn the burner off.

For longer-cooking foods like stews or roasts, set a timer and check the kitchen regularly.

Keep the stovetop clear

Fires often start when a burner ignites something nearby. Keep these items away from the cooktop:

Oven mitts and dish towels
Wooden utensils
Paper towels and packaging
Loose sleeves and long hair (tie them back)

If a pan catches fire

Slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames.
Turn off the burner.
Leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool.

Never pour water on a grease fire — it will splash burning oil across the room. Never move a burning pan; you're likely to spill it and spread the fire.

If the fire is inside the oven or microwave, keep the door closed and turn the appliance off. If flames don't die down within seconds, get out and call 911.

Kids and pets in the kitchen

Create a "kid-free zone" of at least three feet around the stove and anywhere hot food or drinks are prepared. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so curious hands can't grab them.

Have an extinguisher within reach

Keep a Class K or ABC fire extinguisher near the kitchen — but not right next to the stove, where a fire could block you from reaching it. Know how to use it before you need it: pull, aim, squeeze, sweep.

Build these habits into your daily cooking routine, and you'll dramatically reduce your family's fire risk.