Cooking fires continue to be the leading cause of fires in the United States. According to the United States Fire Administration, in 2013, cooking fires accounted for 49.4 percent of all fires. In 2013, there were 188,000 fires caused by cooking that resulted in 4,225 injuries, 225 deaths, and over $525 million dollars in damage.

With the holiday season upon us, the Marion Fire Department shares these reminders in an effort to keep your family gatherings safe.

1. Never leave cooking unattended. There are so many things to distract us these days with the biggest thing being technology. People put stuff on the stove and find themselves involved on the phone, texting, or helping a family member and they forget that they had started cooking something. All foods, but especially anything with grease will start a fire if left unattended.

    

2. If you are cooking on the stove, have the proper-sized lid for the pan you are using nearby. If a fire does start in the pan, quickly place the lid on top of the pan and it will smother the fire. Take the lid and approach the pan from the side and slide it over the top of the pan. This technique only works if you catch the fire when it first starts. At the same time that you smother the fire, you must turn off the burner. Once you smother the fire, leave the lid in place for at least 20 minutes. This is especially true if you were cooking with grease. The grease can remain hot for a long time, and removing the lid too soon will give it the oxygen it needs to re-ignite.

    

3. Never apply water to a grease fire. It will react explosively, can burn you severely, and the fire will get even bigger. Leave the pan where it is. Never try to carry a pan that is on fire to the sink or out of the house. You are likely to get burned and you can actually start fires throughout the house as you walk with the pan.

    

4. Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. If the fire is too big to place a lid over it, having a fire extinguisher that is nearby and accessible can save your house. Many people have fire extinguishers but they are buried under the sink or hidden behind other stuff.

    

5. The main cause of oven fires is dirty ovens, which means that they have accumulated a build-up of grease or spilled food on the bottom of the oven. When the oven gets hot enough, the grease on the bottom of the stove ignites. To prevent this, clean your oven regularly, and clean up large spills after they happen. If an oven fire does start, don’t panic and shut off the heat. The biggest mistake that people make is that they open the door. With the heat off and the door closed, most of the time the fire will go out on its own.

    

6. If you have a cooking fire and you are not completely sure that the fire is out, call 911. Unfortunately, people have had cooking fires and thought they were extinguished; only to find out that there was fire in the cabinets or the wall. If there is any doubt, please call 911 and have the fire department come and check it out.

If you follow these safety tips for cooking, they will help you have a safe and happy holiday season.