Cooking fire safety outreach materials

Help convince community residents to cook safely by providing information about the cooking fire problem and steps they can take to prevent cooking fires.

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 PDF 677 KB

Five dangers of deep frying a turkey:

  1. Turkey fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area.
  2. An overfilled cooking pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in, and a partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter when put in the pot.
  3. Even a small amount of cooking oil spilling on a hot burner can cause a large fire.
  4. Without thermostat controls, deep 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.

“Prevent a Turkey Fryer Fire” handout PDF 672 KB

“Prevent a Turkey Fryer Fire” recipe card PDF 433 KB

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

Social media images: Cooking fire safety

Share these fire safety messages on your social media accounts.

Directions: Click on or touch the buttons below to display the images at their full sizes and save them to your device. Images are sized to fit your Facebook timeline or Twitter feed.

use flashlights or battery-operated candles for Halloween decorations social share image

Download and share on Facebook 1200px x 900px

Download and share on Twitter 506px x 253px

keep Halloween decorations away from open flames social share image

Download and share on Facebook 1200px x 900px

Download and share on Twitter 506px x 253px

replace your smoke alarms after 10 years social share image

Download and share on Facebook 1200px x 900px

Download and share on Twitter 506px x 253px

Outreach materials from the U.S. Fire Administration

Statistics to share

Based on 2006-2010 annual averages:

  • Unattended cooking was by far the leading factor in home cooking fires.
  • Two-thirds of home cooking fires started when food or other cooking materials caught fire.
  • Clothing was the item first ignited in less than one percent of these fires, but these incidents accounted for 16 percent of the cooking fire deaths.
  • Ranges accounted for the largest share (58 percent) of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 16 percent.
  • Three of every five reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves.
  • Frying poses the greatest risk of fire.
  • Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Fire Is Everyone's Fight logo

Fire Is Everyone’s Fight™

Fire Is Everyone’s Fight™™ is a national effort led by the U.S. Fire Administration to lower the number of home fires and home fire injuries in America. The goal is to change how people think about fire and fire prevention using social marketing strategies to address the broadest possible audience. Prevention of cooking fires is a current focus area for Fire Is Everyone’s Fight™.

By registering to join Fire Is Everyone’s Fight, you will receive free access to download a community outreach guide, educational presentations, handouts, social media messages, op-ed’s and articles, public service announcements, customizable graphics, and much more.

Register to join Fire Is Everyone’s Fight

Handouts and posters

door hanger
Cooking fire safety door hanger
English PDF 104 KB | Spanish PDF 93 KB
door hanger
Cooking fire safety flyers (set of four)
English PDF 356 KB | English – customize with local information PDF 814 KB | Spanish – customize with local information PDF 401 KB
information card
Cooking fire safety information cards (set of four)
English PDF 446 KB | Spanish PDF 318 KB
poster
Prevent Kitchen Fires customizable poster PDF 409 KB
flyer
Prevent Kitchen Fires flyer English PDF 254 KB | Spanish PDF 258 KB
recipe card
Prevent Kitchen Fires recipe card PDF 196 KB

Video public service announcements

Short, educational messages for safe home cooking to avoid fires and other burns.

Keep Things Away from Heat

Keep Kids Away

Prevent Scalds and Burns

Watch What You Heat

Know What to Do

Cooking Fire Safety

Cooking Fire Safety (Spanish)

Up in Smoke

Audio public service announcements

Up in Smoke: Always stay in the kitchen when cooking at high temperatures

ListenDownloadScript
MP3 :15 682 KBRead
MP3 :30 1.2 MBRead

Social media messages

Copy and paste these messages to your social media accounts and ask your followers to share.

Twitter

Cooking is the main cause of home fires and injuries. Learn how you can prevent cooking fires to keep your family safe! Insert link to your organization’s website or USFA’s website.

Facebook

Fact: Cooking is one of the main causes of home fires and the main cause of fire injuries. You can prevent cooking fires! Insert link to your organization’s website or USFA’s website.

Stock photography

Use these free, high resolution photos to customize your materials and help spread the word in your community about home cooking fire safety.

Visit the cooking fire safety photo gallery

cooking fire safety photo
cooking fire safety photo
cooking fire safety photo

Fire Prevention and Public Education Exchange

The Exchange serves as a centralized location for national, state and local fire prevention and life safety practices and public education materials that organizations may wish to share with other communities. Visit the Exchange.

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 three foot safe-zone around grills and campfires. Keep kids and pets clear of 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!

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