Cooking is part of everyday life, but a moment of distraction can lead to a fire. Liberty Fire District encourages residents to follow these precautions when cooking in a house, mobile home, or RV.

Stay With Your Cooking

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• If you leave the kitchen, turn off the burner.
• When baking, roasting, or simmering, check food regularly, remain home, and use a timer.
• Avoid cooking when you are sleepy or impaired by alcohol, medication, or other substances.

Keep the Cooking Area Clear

• Keep towels, oven mitts, food packaging, curtains, and other combustible materials away from cooking surfaces.
• Clean grease and food buildup from appliances.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from hot cooking equipment.
• Avoid loose sleeves that could contact a burner or flame.
• Keep a suitable pan lid or metal baking sheet nearby.

If a Pan Catches Fire

Never pour water on burning oil or grease. Never carry a burning pan outside or to the sink.

For a small fire contained to a pan, and only if you can act safely:

1. Carefully slide a lid or metal baking sheet over the pan.
2. Turn off the burner without reaching through flames.
3. Leave the pan covered until it has cooled completely.

Do not lift the lid to check—the fire could reignite.

If the fire is spreading, smoke is building, or you are unsure what to do, get everyone outside, close the door behind you if possible, and call 911. Stay outside.

Oven and Microwave Fires

If a fire occurs inside an oven or microwave:

• Keep the appliance door closed.
• Turn the appliance off if you can safely do so.
• Do not open the door until the fire is out and the appliance has cooled.
• If the fire continues or you have any doubt about your safety, leave and call 911.

Have damaged equipment checked before using it again.

Small Appliances

Air fryers, toaster ovens, hot plates, and other countertop appliances also require care.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and required clearances.
• Place appliances on a stable surface away from combustible materials.
• Keep cords away from hot surfaces and water.
• Stop using equipment with damaged cords or plugs.
• Plug cooking appliances directly into an appropriate wall outlet rather than an extension cord or power strip.

Cooking in Mobile Homes and RVs

Limited space makes it especially important to keep cooking areas and escape routes clear.

• Keep curtains, bedding, and stored items away from cooking equipment.
• Never let a cooking appliance block an exit.
• Use appliances only as intended and follow ventilation instructions.
• Never use an oven or stove to heat your living space.
• Never use outdoor grills or charcoal-burning equipment inside a home, RV, or enclosed space.

Know your exits before cooking, and make sure everyone staying with you knows how to get outside.

Smoke Alarms and Escape Planning

Keep smoke alarms working and never remove their batteries because of cooking smoke. Follow the manufacturer’s placement instructions to reduce nuisance alarms.

Make and practice an escape plan with everyone in your household.

Questions or Home Safety Assistance?

Liberty Fire District offers voluntary Home Fire Safety Visits for residents within the District. Contact us to discuss cooking hazards, smoke alarms, or escape planning.

Phone: 850-892-5833
Email: info@LibertyFireDistrictFL.gov
Online: Contact Us

For a fire or other emergency, call 911.