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Cooking Fire Safety Outreach Materials

Teach community members to cook safely by giving them information about cooking fire risks and how to prevent cooking fires.

At a Glance

Each year, from 2016 to 2018, fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated average of
189,300
cooking fires in residential buildings.

These fires caused an estimated:

170 deaths
deaths
3,300 injuries
injuries
$443 million in direct property loss
in property loss

Cooking was, by far, the leading cause of all residential building fires and injuries.

Outreach materials from the U.S. Fire Administration

Digital media library

Here you’ll find social media content, pictographs, stock photos, videos and b-roll to increase awareness about cooking fire safety.

Explore the library
what to do in case of an oven fire

Materials to share

Preventing Turkey Fryer Fires

preventy turkey fryer fires recipe card Download for social media

Cooking Fire Safety

cooking fire safety handout Download handout

Prevent Kitchen Fires

cooking fire safety handout English  Spanish

Prevent Kitchen Fires (poster)

prevent kitchen fires poster Download poster

Help prevent a turkey fryer fire!

Below are statistics and safety tips to share with community members about using a turkey fryer and why they can be dangerous.

Did you know?

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.

Data snapshot: Thanksgiving Day Fires

Five dangers of deep frying a turkey:

  1. Turkey fryers can easily tip over spilling hot oil across a large area.
  2. An overfilled cooking pot will cause oil to spill over when the turkey is put inside.
  3. A partially frozen turkey will cause hot oil to splatter when put in the pot.
  4. Without thermostat controls, turkey fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire.
  5. The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot.

Handout

Prevent a Turkey Fryer Fire

Watch this video to see why using a fryer can be dangerous!

Messages

Make sure your turkey fryer is on a sturdy, level surface and do not move it once it is in use.

Make sure your turkey fryer is at least 10 feet from your home and not under roof eaves.

Make sure your turkey is fully thawed without frost on it before you fry it.

Consider using an electric or air fryer.

If your turkey fryer does not have a thermostat, use a kitchen thermometer that attaches to the side of the pot. This will help you monitor the temperature of the oil.

Test the amount of oil you need by filling your fryer with water. Place the turkey in the pot making sure the water doesn't get too close to the top. Measure the water and use that as a guide for filling the pot with oil.

Always use protective oven mitts. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet from the turkey fryer.

Help prevent outdoor cooking fires!

Below are statistics and safety tips to share with community members about grill fires and outdoor cooking fire safety.

Did you know?

Grill fires cause an estimated $37 million in property loss each year.

  • Almost half of home grill fires happen between 5 and 8 p.m.
  • Fifty-seven percent of home grill fires occur during the months of May, June, July and August.
  • Patios, terraces, screened-in porches and courtyards are leading home locations for grill fires.
  • Seventy-nine percent of all home grill fires involve gas grills.
  • “Mechanical failure, malfunction” is the leading factor in the start of grill fires. Leaks or breaks of containers or pipes are often to blame.

Source: Grill Fires on Residential Properties PDF 663 KB

Grilling fire safety tips:

  • Only use grills outdoors, away from siding and deck railings.
  • Clean grills often and remove grease or fat build-up.
  • Make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting.
  • Have a 3-foot safe-zone around grills and campfires. Keep kids and pets away from the area.
  • Dispose of coals after they have cooled in a metal can.
  • Never leave grills, fire pits and patio torches unattended.

Share this video to help your community stay fire-safe when cooking outdoors!

Grilling fire safety flyer PDF ~400 KB

Download and customize with your fire department’s logo.

English  Spanish

Outreach materials from other organizations

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends the following organizations as trusted and reliable sources for free outreach materials you can use to help increase awareness about home cooking fires in your community.

More information on cooking fire safety

U.S. Fire Administration
U.S. Fire Administration
U.S. Fire Administration
16825 S. Seton Ave.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727 USA
800-238-3358

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