11/04/2026
School holidays often mean more children are at home and may spend time learning to cook or helping in the kitchen. This makes it especially important to teach them about kitchen fire safety and supervise them closely to prevent accidents. Encourage children to be involved in the kitchen safely, and use this time as an opportunity to teach them about fire risks and how to stay safe while cooking.
👀 Stay Present and Alert
* Never leave cooking unattended — even “just for a minute.”
* If you need to step away, turn off the heat.
🧼 Keep the Area Clean
* Remove grease, dust, and oil buildup from stovetops, ovens, grills, and range hoods.
* Clean appliances regularly and ensure they’re in good working condition.
🚫 Keep Combustibles Away
* Store tea towels and other flammable items well away from heat sources.
* Avoid placing anything on or near cooktops.
👶 Protect Children
* Always supervise kids in the kitchen.
* Keep them away from hot surfaces, boiling liquids, and the oven.
* Turn pot handles inward so they can’t be bumped or grabbed.
🧯 Be Prepared for Emergencies
* Clean and test your smoke alarm “beep beep”
* Keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket near by — but not so close that you can’t access them if the stove is on fire. Having your fire blanket hung, is ideal for quick access.
By getting your household familiar with where to time and how to using your fire safety equipment, they will feel more confident and prepared, when the time comes. Play pretend and get curious - open your fire blanket and see how big it is and what condition it is in. If it has deteriorated, it might be time to get a new one.
Speak with your children about fire safety, and remind them that they can always get support from an adult in an emergency or by calling 000.
