Fire Prevention Week: Cooking causes most U.S. home fires

For Immediate Release

Fire Prevention Week: Cooking causes most U.S. home fires

American Red Cross to install free smoke alarms in October

ST. LOUIS, MO (Oct. 3, 2023) — During Fire Prevention Week (October 8-14), the American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis reminds everyone that cooking is the leading cause of home fires and issues safety steps to follow to help avoid one of these blazes.

“The top reason for cooking fires is someone leaving the stove unattended while cooking,” said Beth Elders, Executive Director, Red Cross of Greater St. Louis. “Cooking brings family and friends together, but this normal, everyday activity can also lead to disaster. In fact, cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. To help keep your loved ones safe, it’s important to stay in the kitchen while you’re cooking.”

Follow these 10 steps to help stay safe while cooking:

1. If you are frying, grilling, or broiling food, never leave it unattended — stay in the kitchen. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
2. Don’t wear loose clothing or sleeves that dangle while cooking.
3. If you’re simmering, baking, roasting, or broiling food, check it regularly.
4. Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
5. Keep kids and pets away from the cooking area. Make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.
6. Keep anything that can catch fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, or curtains — away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
7. Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
8. Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen. Contact your local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.
9. Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
10. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year if your smoke alarm requires it.

FREE SMOKE ALARM INSTALLATION SIGN UP   The American Red Cross is installing free smoke alarms in homes across the country in October. A local installation event is planned in Cahokia Heights, IL on Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cahokia Heights community members in need of a smoke alarm may sign up online at www.redcross.org/smokealarmmo to request a free alarm installation. Depending on the number of requests received, some installations may need to be continued on later date. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY – Those who want to give back to the Cahokia Heights community can sign up at https://forms.gle/A65am8d5kWcmATic7 for a one-time, four-to-six-hour volunteer opportunity, on Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to install smoke alarms in homes in need. No prior experience is needed and training will be provided for installing smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information.

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVE LIVES Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 1,928 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.

Download the Red Cross First Aid app for quick, expert advice on what to do in case of an emergency. Find all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.