The kitchen can be a hazardous area within our homes.

Have you ever had a fire in your kitchen? If a pot of cooking oil caught on fire would you know what to do?

The Bella Vista Fire Department wants you to put a lid on cooking fires:

Before you start cooking, ensure you have no loose clothing that would catch fire.

Keep all combustibles such as dish towels, paper towels or other items away from the stove.

Once you start cooking dont leave the kitchen. If you must leave, either turn the stove off or take an oven mitt with you as a reminder to return to the kitchen.

When cooking with fatty foods, oil or grease, try to use a lower temperature.

Keep a pot lid close by to smother a fire if one does occur.

Pot handles should be turned inward or to the side to avoid spills or someone accidentally knocking the pot off the stove.