Free Kitchen Fire Safety Checklist

12 things every kitchen should have. NFPA-cited best practices, printable, no purchase required. Read the list below or get the printable version emailed to you.

1. 1

   Never leave the stove unattended while cooking

   Per NFPA, unattended cooking is the #1 cause of home cooking fires. If you must leave the kitchen, turn the burner off, even for "just a minute."

2. 2

   Keep flammable items at least 3 feet from the stove

   Towels, paper, plastic, cookbooks, oven mitts, and curtains, anything that can catch should be 3 feet (1m) from the cooktop or further.

3. 3

   Test your smoke alarm monthly and replace batteries as the maker says

   A working smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a home fire in half, per NFPA. Most adults test theirs less than once a year.

4. 4

   Keep a multipurpose A-B-C fire extinguisher in the kitchen

   NFPA and the Red Cross recommend A-B-C for homes. Its B rating covers grease and oil. Mount it visibly near the kitchen exit, away from the stove.

5. 5

   Never use water on a grease fire

   Water turns to steam under hot oil and throws burning oil out of the pan. Slide a metal lid or baking sheet over the pan, turn off the burner and leave it covered until it cools. See how to put out a grease fire.

6. 6

   Keep a metal lid that fits your largest pan within reach

   Sliding a tight-fitting lid over a flaming pan and turning off the heat is the safest way to put out a small grease fire.

7. 7

   Clean range hoods and oven regularly

   Built-up grease in hood filters and oven cavities is the most overlooked fuel source. Clean every 1–3 months depending on cooking volume.

8. 8

   Set a timer when leaving food simmering or in the oven

   External timers (kitchen timer, phone alarm, smartwatch) are more reliable than memory. Use one even for short bakes.

9. 9

   Wear short or close-fitting sleeves while cooking

   Loose sleeves catch fire from gas burners. Roll up loose sleeves or wear short sleeves while at the stove.

10. 10

    Don't cook while drowsy, very tired, or impaired

    Most fatal home fires happen between midnight and 6 AM. If you're tired, eat something cold or order in.

11. 11

    Have a kitchen fire escape plan and discuss it

    Two exits from the kitchen, where to meet outside, who's responsible for kids/pets/elderly. Walk through it with everyone in the house once.

12. 12

    Add a layered alert device above the stovetop

    A monitor like Stovyn catches the unattended pot earlier than a smoke alarm would. It supplements, not replaces, your certified safety devices.