Cooking fire safety
The leading cause of home fires in NSW is leaving cooking unattended.
Cooking fire safety tips
- Never leave cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen while cooking and turn off the stove before you leave.
- Don't put anything metallic in the microwave and always double-check the timer.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reaches of children.
- There are many dangerous substances in the kitchen. Flammable materials such as aerosols, cleaning agents and cooking oils should be stored away from heat.
- Avoid cooking under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Keep loose clothing, fabrics, tea towels, curtains and flammable items away from the stove.
- Turn pot handles inwards. Pot handles hanging over the edge of the stove can be easily knocked or grabbed by children.
- Keep your oven, rangehood and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of grease and fat can ignite in a fire.
If your pan catches fire, here's what to do
- Turn off the stove (if safe to do so) and use the lid to cover the flame.
- Never use water to put out a fat or oil fire.
- Use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in the first few seconds of ignition if you are confident.
- Leave the kitchen, close the door and call Triple Zero 000.