Did you know? Cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. 

From never leaving your cooking unattended to keeping a fire kit, cooking safety is a must. But if you don't know where to start, we've got you covered. In this post, we'll talk about the top cooking safety tips that'll protect your family from the dangers of kitchen fires. 

10 Cooking Safety Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Fire-Free

Here are the top ten cooking safety tips that'll keep your loved ones and property safe from fire: 

1. Never leave your kitchen unattended while cooking.

According to Susan McKelvey of the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), unattended cooking equipment is the top cause of cooking fires, with frying on the top. While frying is more dangerous than other cooking methods like baking, boiling, or roasting, you must not leave your kitchen unattended.

If you need to leave while baking, boiling, and the like, we recommend using a timer to signal you when the dish is done. However, we don't recommend doing this if you're frying food. 

2. Keep your kitchen clean and free of flammable materials. 

From oil and kitchen towels to boxes and cooking appliances, your kitchen is filled with fire hazards. Keep them away from heat sources like your oven and stove. Make sure to also keep your kitchen clean and organized because clutter can burn. 

3. Clean up any spilled or splattered grease. 

Regularly clean your oven, stove, and other cooking appliances to prevent grease and food residue from building up. They can quickly catch fire, so make sure to keep your kitchen free from them.  

4. Never throw hot grease in the garbage.

While it's tempting to throw hot grease in the trash can, don't. Doing this can ignite flammable materials in the trash. Let the grease cool down first, put it in an old container (preferably a can), and throw it away. 

5. Don't store anything in your oven.

Oven fires are one of the most dangerous kinds of kitchen fires. One main reason they occur is items left in the oven, which can catch fire while preheating. So don't use your oven as storage, especially for oil-based dishes. 

6. Turn the pot handles toward the back when you cook. 

Turning the handles inward while cooking prevents you from knocking them off, spilling the contents, and burning yourself. Doing this also prevents children from grabbing the pots and pans. 

7. Don't wear loose clothes while cooking. 

Loose clothing will likely catch fire once it comes into contact with a heat source. It can also get easily caught on pot and pan handles. 

8. Don't cook if you're sleepy or drunk. 

Research shows that 43% of people who died in cooking fires were asleep. So, don't try to cook if you're sleepy or drunk. 

9. Unplug or turn off appliances when not in use. 

Unplug or turn off appliances after cooking food. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid electrical fires. 

10. Keep fire prevention tools nearby.

Have a fire kit with an emergency fire blanket, fire spray, fire protection gloves, and a smoke mask ready if a fire breaks out. Remember, it never hurts to be prepared. 

Conclusion

We can't say this enough: you must be careful when cooking food. Leaving your kitchen while cooking, storing items in your oven, wearing loose clothes while cooking, and cooking when you're sleepy or drunk puts you and your loved ones at risk. So, follow the tips in this guide to protect you and your family from devastating kitchen fires. Stay prepared, hero!