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Ways to Help Prevent Fires
Cooking safety starts with YOU.
The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Most cookie fires in the home involve the kitchen stove.
Cook with caution!
- Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
- 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 stovetop.
If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire...
- On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
If you have any doubt about fighting a
small fire…
- Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.
Cooking and Kids
Have a kid-free zone of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
Fire Department Educational Presentations
From left to right: Hudson and Parker Prentice check out firefighter's mask during a follow up visit to the fire station.
The Raleigh Fire Department offers fire station tours, fire truck visits, educational presentations, and participation in community outreach events.
Request a Fire Education Event
