Cooking fires

Cooking is, by far, the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. In 2021, fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 170,000 home cooking fires, which caused about 135 deaths and 3,000 injuries. Among cooking fires that spread beyond the pan or pot, the leading cause is cooking left alone.

Prevent a kitchen fire

• Stand by your pan. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off. Cooking left alone is the top cause of kitchen fires.
• If you see smoke, or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off. Smoke means the oil is too hot and could catch fire.
• Keep a lid or a baking sheet near the stove while you cook. Covering a burning pan puts the fire out.

If a pan catches fire

• Keep the pan where it is. Don't move it.
• Slide the lid or a baking sheet on top of the pan.
• Turn the burner off. Keep the lid on the pan until it is cool. Lifting the lid too soon can let the fire start again.
• Never try to put out a grease or oil fire with water. Water reacts violently with hot grease.
• When in doubt, just get out, and call 911 from outside. Fighting a fire is dangerous and could cost you your life.

Sources

• Why each step matters: NFPA, NFPA, U.S. Fire Administration, U.S. Fire Administration, Oregon State Fire Marshal.
• Cooking the leading cause of home fires and injuries, the 2021 figures, unattended cooking the leading cause of cooking fires that spread, "stand by your pan", turning the burner off at smoke or boiling grease, a lid or baking sheet to cover the pan: U.S. Fire Administration, Cooking fire safety (page last reviewed September 28, 2026).
• What to do if a pan catches fire: U.S. Fire Administration, Cook safely: watch what you heat (PDF).