08/20/2026
The number one source of Home Fires? Your Kitchen. Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and injuries in North Carolina. Not faulty wiring. Not old smoke alarms. Your stove!
Here's the scary part: Most cooking fires happen in seconds. And most are preventable.
✅ Never leave cooking unattended: Not even to check on something else. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.
✅ Keep flammable items away: Towels, curtains, paper, packaging. All belong far from the stove.
✅ Turn pot handles inward: Keep them from being bumped or grabbed by children.
✅ If a grease fire starts, DON'T use water: Use a fire extinguisher or cover the pan with a metal lid to smother it.
For renters and apartment residents: Discuss fire safety with your landlord. Know the locations of extinguishers and familiarize yourself with escape routes. Your kitchen is the heart of your home, so keep it safe! 🔥
Share this with someone who loves to cook, or someone just learning. Remind them: Never leave a kitchen unattended!
For more cooking safety tips, visit our website, linked in the comments below.