NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management logo
  1. Home
  2. Cooking Safety

Cooking Safety

A woman stands in a bright kitchen tasting food from a wooden spoon while cooking on a stovetop with pots and a kettle nearby.

Protect your home from cooking fires

Cooking brings family and friends together and is a daily part of life in every home. But it’s also the leading cause of home fires and injuries. Most kitchen fires start when food is left unattended on the stove. Staying alert and taking a few simple precautions can prevent dangerous fires and keep mealtimes safe. 

Stay in the kitchen 

  • Never leave cooking food unattended.
  • If you need to step away from the stove, even for a short time, turn it off.
  • Stay nearby when frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling. If you’re baking or roasting, use a timer and check food regularly.
  • Avoid cooking when you’re sleepy, distracted, or have consumed alcohol. 

Keep flammable items away

  • Keep oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and dish towels, food packaging, and curtains away from the stovetop.
  • These common household items can ignite quickly if placed too close to heat. 

Cooking and Kids 

  • Create a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove, oven, and areas where hot food or drinks are being prepared or carried.
  • Teach children that the kitchen is not a play area when cooking is underway. 

What to do if a fire starts

  • If a small grease fire starts on the stovetop, smother the flames by carefully sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. 
  • Leave the lid on until the pan has completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.  
  • If a fire extinguisher is available and you know how to use it (PASS method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep), you may attempt to use it, but only if the fire is small and you have a clear exit path. Learn more about fire extinguishers here. 
  • If the fire grows or you feel unsafe, get out immediately. Close doors behind you as you leave to slow the spread of smoke and flames, then call 9-1-1 from a safe location.   

Quick Facts 

  • Unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. 
  • Most cooking fires begin on the kitchen stove. 
  • Staying alert in the kitchen while cooking is the simplest and most effective way to prevent a fire. 

Resources