Cooking fires still are the leading cause of home fires and home-fire injuries in the United States according to a new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) study.

The NFPA offers these tips to reduce your risk of a cooking fire:

• Make sure combustible items, such as rags, potholders, curtains and bags, are kept away from the cooking surface.
• Never leave food cooking unattended on the stovetop and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven.
• Never cook if you are drowsy or feel the effects of alcohol, medication, or other drugs.
• Roll up your sleeves and don’t wear loose-fitting clothing.  If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll until the fire is out.
• Clean cooking equipment often to remove grease or cooking materials that could catch on fire.
• Keep children and pets away from cooking areas.  Create a three-foot “kid-free zone” around the stove.  

Source: Wellness News You Can Use, February 2005, National Wellness Institute