Fire Safety Article

Prevent Cooking Fires

According to the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. One out of three home fires begins in the kitchen—more than any other area of the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.

"Often when we're called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes," Montana State Fire Marshal Allen Lorenz said. "But that's all it takes for a dangerous fire to start."

Firefighters and safety advocates emphasize these safety tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling or boiling food.
• If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• When you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home and use a timer to remind you.
• If you have young children, use the stove's back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.
• When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.
• Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn away from your stovetop.
• Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.