Most house fires start in the kitchen than in any other room, with overheated grease as a common cause.

The Bella Vista Fire Department suggests the following safety hints:

      Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended even for a minute. If you must leave, turn the stove off and remove the pot or pan from the heat. Take a spoon or oven mitt to remind you to return to the kitchen.

      Even when you are not using them, do not keep pans of cooking fat or oil on the stove. Its easy to turn on the wrong burner or element and ignite the pan of fat or oil when you are not looking.

      Grease around the oven or stove is one of the first items to ignite when fire starts. Keep your cooking clean.

      Never throw water or flour on the fire that can spread the flames. Instead put baking soda into the pan.

      Always keep a lid by your stove. If a grease fire erupts you can slide the lid over the pan and smother the fire.

      Never reach across a flaming pan to turn off the burner or elements. Never try to carry the pan outside. You will only risk spilling the contents, spreading the fire and burning yourself.

      Keep a home portable fire extinguisher easily accessible, preferably on the wall near an exit leading out of the kitchen.

      If you do not extinguish the fire immediately, evacuate your family and call  9-1-1 from a neighbors house.

Watch What You Heat: Prevent Home Fires