Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, according to the NFPA. The most important habit is simple: stay in the kitchen whenever you are frying, grilling or broiling. Keep a lid within reach for grease fires, never pour water on burning grease, and if a fire starts to grow, get everyone out and call 911.
October is Fire Safety Month, and the kitchen is the right place to start. Whether you are cooking a weeknight dinner in a Thornton bi-level, hosting family in a newer Broomfield home or making a big weekend breakfast in Westminster, a few steady habits go a long way toward keeping a small flare-up from becoming a serious fire.
This guide covers the habits that matter most, what to do in the moment if something catches, and a few notes about kitchens in homes across Northglenn, Arvada, Commerce City and Brighton.
What causes most kitchen fires?
The NFPA reports that unattended cooking is a leading factor in home cooking fires. It takes only a moment for a pan of oil to overheat or for a dish towel to catch near a burner.
Most kitchen fires start with a few familiar situations:
- Leaving the stove while frying, sauteing or broiling
- Oil or grease that gets too hot and ignites
- Towels, oven mitts, paper packaging or wooden utensils left too close to a burner
- Food buildup and grease on the stovetop, in the oven or in the range hood
- Loose, dangling sleeves near an open flame or hot burner
- Getting distracted by a phone call, the doorbell or kids and forgetting something is cooking
How can I prevent a kitchen fire?
The NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration both point to the same everyday habits. None of them take much time, and together they cover most of the common risks.
- Stay in the kitchen. If you are frying, grilling or broiling, stay put. If you have to leave, even briefly, turn off the burner.
- Use a timer. When simmering, baking or roasting, set a timer and check on food regularly.
- Keep a three-foot kid-free zone. Keep children and pets back from the stove while you cook.
- Clear the stovetop area. Move towels, mitts, packaging and anything else that can burn away from the cooktop.
- Keep it clean. Wipe up spills and grease so buildup does not catch fire later.
- Turn pot handles inward. This keeps pans from being bumped or pulled off the stove.
- Keep a lid nearby. A lid that fits your pan is one of the best tools for smothering a grease fire.
- Check your smoke alarms. Test them monthly and make sure there is one near, but not directly in, the kitchen.
What should I do if a grease fire starts?
Stay calm and act quickly, but only if the fire is small and contained to the pan. Here is what fire safety guidance recommends:
- Never use water. Water on burning grease can make the fire spread violently.
- Smother it. Slide a lid or cookie sheet over the pan, then turn off the burner.
- Leave the lid on. Let the pan cool completely before lifting the lid.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed.
- Do not carry the pan. Moving a burning pan outside or to the sink can spill burning grease on you or the floor.
If the fire grows beyond the pan, or you have any doubt, get everyone out of the house, close the door behind you if you can, and call 911 from outside. Your safety matters more than anything in the kitchen.
Quick reference: which kitchen fire response fits the situation?
| Situation | What to do | What not to do |
|---|---|---|
| Small grease fire in a pan | Cover with a lid or cookie sheet, turn off the burner | Do not use water or try to carry the pan |
| Fire inside the oven | Turn off the oven and keep the door closed | Do not open the door to check on it |
| Fire in the microwave | Keep the door closed and unplug it if you can do so safely | Do not open the door until the fire is out |
| Fire spreading beyond the stove | Get everyone out and call 911 from outside | Do not go back inside for belongings |
What should north metro Denver homeowners know about their kitchens?
Many homes in Thornton, Westminster and Northglenn were built in the 1960s to 1980s, often as split-level or bi-level designs. In a lot of those layouts, the kitchen sits right next to the stairs between levels, and heat and smoke can move quickly through that open space. That makes working smoke alarms on every level especially important, along with a clear plan for how everyone gets out from both the upper and lower floors. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends practicing a home escape plan with two ways out of every room, so walk through it with your family this month.
Older kitchens may also have range hoods, outlets and appliance cords that have seen decades of use. Take a look at cords for fraying and avoid plugging multiple high-wattage countertop appliances into the same outlet.
Newer builds in Broomfield, Thornton and Brighton often have open-concept layouts where the kitchen flows directly into the living room. Open floor plans are great for family time, but they give smoke fewer barriers. Our dry Front Range air is also worth keeping in mind, because paper, towels and other household materials near a cooktop tend to be very dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the leading cause of home fires? Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, according to the NFPA. Unattended cooking is a major factor.
What is the safest way to put out a grease fire? Slide a lid or cookie sheet over the pan and turn off the burner, then leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool. Never use water or flour. If the fire is not small and contained to the pan, get everyone out and call 911.
Where should I put a smoke alarm near my kitchen? Place smoke alarms near the kitchen but not directly next to the stove, where normal cooking can set them off. Install them on every level of the home and test them monthly.
What should I do after a small kitchen fire is out? Make sure the fire is fully out, ventilate the area and document everything for your insurance company with photos. Smoke and soot residue can spread to cabinets, walls and nearby rooms even after a small fire, so a professional assessment is a good idea.
Help After a Kitchen Fire
We hope you never need us, but if a kitchen fire leaves smoke, soot or water behind, you do not have to sort it out alone. Our IICRC-certified technicians provide Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration for homes across Thornton, Westminster, Broomfield and the rest of the north metro. For help any time, call Best Option Restoration of Northeast Denver 24/7.