Nearly half of all house fires start in the kitchen with NSW Fire & Rescue attending approximately 2500 each year.

Firefighter Jason Carter said many kitchen fires occur when people get distracted and leave cooking unattended on the stove.

“It is easy to become complacent or distracted while you are cooking, but it is really important to never leave the cooking unattended – even for a moment,” he said.

“It is also important to keep flammable items such as tea towels and oven mitts away from all cooking and open flames.”

He added water should never be used to put out fat or oil fires as it will cause the fire to spread rapidly and have the potential to result in severe burns.

“If cooking oil catches fire, turn off the hotplate and slide the lid over the pan or use a fire blanket to smother the fire, if it is safe to do so, then call Triple Zero so firefighters can ensure the fire is completely extinguished,” he said.

“We recommend householders install a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen and know how to use them. 

“They should be situated at least one metre away from the stove and between the stove and the nearest exit.”

Mr Carter said the following tips will help to avoid a fire in your kitchen:

l Never leave cooking unattended;

l Ensure cooking appliances are turned off after use;

l Tea Towels, oven mitts, and other flammable items should be kept well away from stoves and cook tops;

l Install a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen and familiarise yourself with their operation;

l Have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of the home and make sure it is working by testing them monthly and changing the batteries at least once a year.  The best locations for smoke alarms are in hallways leading from bedrooms and in sleeping areas.

For further information about kitchen fire safety visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au