Cooking Fire Facts and Prevention

Did You Know?

• 49% of home fires are caused by cooking 31% of reported home cooking fires and 48% of cooking fire deaths are a result of unattended equipment
• 66% of home cooking fires start from food or other cooking materials catching on fire
• Unattended cooking causes nearly 90% of all kitchen fires
• Ranges or stovetops, account for almost 62% of home cooking fire occurrences
• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve
• Grill fires cause an estimated $37 million in property loss each year
• 58% of home, grill fires occur during the months of May, June, July and August.

Top Safety Tips

• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm and use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop
• Pot handles should be turned away from the stove's edge and backburners should be used when possible
• If there is a fire in the microwave, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed.
• Small grease fires should be extinguished by smothering the flames
• For oven fires, turn off the oven and leave the door closed
• Only use grills outdoors, away from siding and deck railings.

NCHARRP is distributing Fire Safety Magnets to all Housing Authority Members of NCHARRP in an effort to educate and protect families and properties. All members should be receiving these magnets within the next couple of months.

Please place a magnet in the kitchen of Every unit to emphasize the importance of Kitchen Fire Safety Tips.

Be Fire Safe in the Kitchen

• Never leave food unattended while it's cooking
• Maintain a clean and clutter-free stovetop
• Don't use water to put out a grease fire
• Don't remove a pot that's on fire from the stove
• When cooking with grease/oil always have a lid or cookie sheet immediately available to place over the pot in the event of fire
• Turn pot handles toward center of stove
• Cook on back burners when possible

Emergency Dial 9-1-1