This article was previously published on August 2, 2016 and updated for comprehensiveness and accuracy.  

Key Points: 

• Kitchen fires remain the leading cause of home fires, with incidents spiking significantly during the holiday season when cooking activity increases.
• Modern smart home technology helps prevent kitchen accidents by providing real-time alerts and remote monitoring.
• Smart appliances and visual monitoring tools add convenience while reducing the risk of unattended cooking hazards.
• Understanding different types of kitchen fires—such as grease, electrical, and stovetop fires—can prevent serious injuries and property damage.
• Simple safety habits, like staying near active burners and keeping flammables away from heat sources, dramatically reduce your risk of a home fire. 

Cooking is a home necessity but remains the leading cause of home fires in the United States, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). 

As we are in the midst of the holiday season, December is consistently one of the leading months for U.S. home fires. Particularly, holidays such as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are among the top days of the year for cooking-related fires. 

Between heavier indoor activity, more cooking, and increased use of heating, lighting, and decorations, kitchens and homes become especially vulnerable during this time. But thanks to advances in smart home technology, we now have more ways than ever to reduce those risks proactively. Here, we have five kitchen safety tips to help make a difference: 

1. Install Smart Kitchen Appliances 

Modern smart appliances, from refrigerators to coffee makers to countertop appliances, give you more control and visibility than ever before. 

Benefits of smart appliances include: 

• Alerts about problems (e.g., a door left ajar, appliance malfunction)
• Remote control over settings (so you can turn things off if you forget)
• Potential energy savings and efficiency gains
• Possibility to integrate with smart plugs, giving remote on/off control even for older appliances 

Smart plugs are an inexpensive way to upgrade existing appliances for safety and energy efficiency. 

2. Use Visual Monitoring 

Smart cameras and image sensors in or near the kitchen can help you keep an eye on activity when you’re busy or away: 

• Monitor children around the stove or oven
• Check whether appliances are turned off when you leave the house
• Watch pets who may accidentally knock over items or get too close to hot surfaces 

Visual monitoring can give peace of mind, especially during busy meal prep times, or when juggling multiple tasks. 

3. Set Up Smart Alarms and Alerts 

Smart detectors and sensors can alert you to hazards in real time, often faster and more reliably than traditional standalone devices. For example: 

• Motion sensors can notify if a child or pet enters the kitchen while you’re away
• Heat or smoke detectors integrated into a smart home system, triggering push notifications to your phone
• Smart-appliance alerts for malfunctions or abnormal temperature changes 

These tools give you a second line of defense against fire risk, valuable if you step away from the kitchen even briefly during a meal. 

4. Maintain Traditional Fire Safety Practices 

Even with smart tech, basic kitchen fire safety habits remain essential, and arguably more urgent during holiday time. Here are recommended precautions: 

• Keep flammable items (oven mitts, towels, food packaging, wooden utensils, etc.) away from stovetops and other heat sources.
• Wear snug-fitting clothing while cooking: loose sleeves or long, flowing fabric can catch fire more easily.
• Never leave frying, boiling, or broiling food unattended. Set a timer or stay in the kitchen when cooking.
• Turn off or unplug appliances that are not in use to avoid accidental sparking or heat buildup.
• In the event of a fire that is out of control, evacuate immediately and call emergency services. Many cooking-fire injuries happen when people attempt to fight the fire themselves without knowing the best methods for each type of fire. 

5. Know How to Handle Different Types of Kitchen Fires 

Even with smart technology and good habits in place, accidents can still happen. Knowing how to respond to different types of kitchen fires can prevent injuries and reduce damage. Every second counts and using the wrong method can make a fire far worse and cause harm to yourself or others. 

Below are the safest steps for the most common types of cooking fires: 

Grease Fires:

Grease fires are the most common and the most dangerous type of kitchen fire. They burn extremely hot and spread quickly. 

If a grease fire starts: 

• Never use water. Water will cause the oil to splatter and the flames to explode outward.
• Turn off the heat source if you can do so safely.
• Cover the flames with a metal lid or cookie sheet to smother the fire.
• Use baking soda on small flames (never flour — it can ignite).
• Use a Class B or multi-purpose (ABC) fire extinguisher if the fire grows.
• Evacuate and call 911 if the fire becomes too large to control immediately. 

Stovetop or Oven Fires: 

These fires often result from food spills, electrical issues, or overheating. 

• Slide a lid over the pan to smother the flame.
• Turn off the burner.
• Leave the lid on until the pan is completely cooled. 

Oven or Broiler Fire: 

• Keep the oven door closed. Opening it introduces oxygen and intensifies the flames.
• Turn off the oven and let the fire burn out inside.
• If flames escape the oven, use an extinguisher and call emergency services. 

Microwave Fires: 

Holiday leftovers and quick reheats make microwave use heavier in December. Fires can spark from overheated food, metal objects, or old/malfunctioning components. 

If a microwave fire occurs: 

• Turn off the microwave and keep the door closed.
• Unplug the unit if it’s safe.
• Allow the fire to suffocate inside.
• Replace the microwave afterward. Internal fire damage can make it unsafe. 

Electrical Fires: 

Faulty cords, overloaded outlets, old appliances, or malfunctioning smart devices can cause electrical fires. 

If an electrical fire starts: 

• Do NOT use water.
• Unplug the appliance if it is safe to do so.
• Use a Class C or ABC fire extinguisher.
• Evacuate and call 911 if the fire spreads quickly. 

When to Evacuate: 

The NFPA reports that more than half of non-fatal cooking fire injuries occur when people attempt to put out the fire themselves rather than evacuate. If you cannot immediately smother a small flame, or if the fire grows rapidly, get everyone out and call 911. Safety comes first. 

Protect Your Home with a Trusted Security Partner 

Modern kitchen safety goes far beyond good habits. It requires the right technology, reliable monitoring, and a security partner who understands how to keep your home protected year-round. Whether you want smarter alerts, better visibility, or upgraded safety equipment, Vector Security can help you build a safer, more connected home. 

Partner with Vector Security to strengthen your kitchen safety and protect what matters most. Our team is here to help you create a safer home environment, during the busy holiday season and every day after.