Cooking is a leading cause of home fires, and most kitchen fires start the same way: something left on the stove while someone steps away. Philadelphia kitchens come with their own layouts to think about. In many rowhouses the kitchen is a narrow galley at the back of the house, with the back door at one end and the only other exit down a long hallway. Center City condos often have compact open kitchens beside the living area. Both make it worth thinking through fire safety before you need it.
This checklist covers prevention, what to do in the moment, and the appliance maintenance that keeps small problems from getting bigger.
Prevention checklist
| Habit or check | Why it matters | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling | Unattended cooking is the classic way kitchen fires begin | Every time |
| Keep a lid that fits your pan within reach | Smothering is the fastest way to stop a pan fire | Every time you fry |
| Clear the cooktop of towels, mail and packaging | Paper and cloth ignite fast near a burner | Daily |
| Turn pot handles inward | Prevents knocked-over pots and burns, especially with kids | Every time |
| Clean or replace the range hood filter | Grease in the filter can catch fire | Monthly for heavy cooks; per the manual otherwise |
| Clean spills from the oven floor and drip pans | Built-up grease can smoke or flare | As spills happen |
| Check the smoke alarm nearest the kitchen | Early warning is the whole point | Monthly |
| Know where the extinguisher is and how to use it | Looking for it during a fire wastes time | Check its gauge monthly |
If a fire starts
Grease fire in a pan
- Turn off the burner if you can reach it safely.
- Slide a lid or a baking sheet over the pan and leave it there until the pan is completely cool.
- Never pour water on it. Water turns into steam instantly and throws burning grease across the kitchen.
- Don't carry the pan to the sink or outside.
- For a very small fire, baking soda can help. Flour cannot; it can make things worse.
Fire inside the oven or microwave
Turn it off and keep the door closed. Without fresh air, the fire usually goes out. Unplug the microwave if you can do so safely. Have the appliance checked before you use it again. Our microwave safety checklist explains why microwave repairs are never a DIY job.
When to get out
If the fire is spreading, the room fills with smoke, or you're not sure you can handle it, get everyone out, close the door behind you if you can, and call 911 from outside. Don't go back in.
Plan the exit for your kitchen
- Rowhouse galley kitchens: know whether the back door opens easily and whether the yard or alley gives you a way out to the street. Keep the path to it clear; don't store recycling or boxes against the back door.
- Trinity houses and tight stairs: if the kitchen is on a level with a steep, winding stair, have a plan for getting everyone out quickly, especially at night.
- High-rises: know your building's fire procedures and where the nearest stairwell is. Don't use the elevator during a fire.
Fire extinguisher basics
Keep a multipurpose extinguisher rated for kitchen use near the kitchen exit, not right next to the stove, where a fire could block you from reaching it. Read the label and learn the steps before you need them. Check the gauge monthly, and replace or recharge it after any use.
Appliances and outlets
- Plug toasters, toaster ovens, air fryers and coffee makers directly into wall outlets. Avoid power strips and extension cords for heating appliances.
- Older kitchens with two-prong outlets deserve an electrician's look before you add high-wattage countertop appliances.
- Give heating appliances space from cabinets, curtains and the wall, according to their manuals.
- Unplug small appliances when they're not in use, especially toaster ovens.
- Watch for warning signs on any appliance: a burning smell, scorch marks, a cord that gets hot, or a breaker that trips.
Range and cooktop maintenance
A gas burner that lights late with a pop, an electric element that sparks or glows unevenly, a cracked glass cooktop, or an oven that overshoots its set temperature are all reasons to stop and have the range checked. For holiday cooking, the holiday oven prep checklist helps you catch problems before the big day, and gas households should also go through the carbon monoxide checklist.
Sources
When to call: after any fire inside an appliance, or if your cooktop, oven or hood shows damage or behaves oddly, have it inspected before you cook again. Our cooktop repair and oven repair technicians start with a diagnosis and a written estimate.