State Farm® Releases Latest Cooking Fire Statistics and Safety Tips to Help Prevent Kitchen Fires

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

As cooking remains the leading cause of home fires in the United States, State Farm is highlighting the latest statistics on cooking-related fire costs, including the top ten states, and offering essential tips to help families stay safe in the kitchen or outside with a turkey fryer or grill.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more home cooking fires occur in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day than any other day during the year.

From January 1, 2024 through November 2025, State Farm has paid nearly $234 million for indoor and outdoor cooking fire losses.

The top ten states for cooking fire losses by cost during that time period are:

Georgia $19.6 million
Illinois $17.8 million
Michigan $12.3 million
Texas $11.6 million
Pennsylvania $11.4 million
Ohio $10.9 million
North Carolina $10.6 million
South Carolina $9.7 million
California $9.6 million
Virginia $8.7 million

Nationally, the average cooking fire loss was over $73,000.

Cooking fires account for nearly 50% of all reported home fires annually. These incidents often result from unattended cooking, grease buildup, and malfunctioning appliances, leading to significant property damage, injuries, and even fatalities.

Key Cooking Fire Statistics:

Cooking fires are the top cause of home fires, accounting for approximately 49% of all residential fire incidents.
Unattended cooking is the leading factor in these fires, responsible for over 40% of cooking fire-related emergencies.
Frying equipment is involved in nearly 60% of cooking fires.
Nearly 70% of cooking fires occur during the evening hours between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Cooking fires are preventable with simple precautions. Stay attentive while cooking and follow safety guidelines to protect your home and loved ones.

Cooking Fire Safety Tips:

Stay in the Kitchen: Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave, turn off the stove or oven.
Keep Flammable Items Away: Keep towels, potholders, and paper products at least three feet away from heat sources.
Maintain Clean Appliances: Regularly clean stove tops, ovens, and vent hoods to prevent grease buildup.
Use Timers: Set timers as reminders when cooking, especially when simmering, baking, or roasting.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy: Have a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
Wear Appropriate Clothing: Avoid loose-fitting sleeves that can catch fire.
Turn Pot Handles Inward: Prevent accidental spills by turning handles away from the edge of the stove.

State Farm urges all homeowners to review their insurance policies, fire safety plans and ensure smoke alarms are installed and functioning properly.

Don’t Let Cooking Fires Ruin Your Holiday Season

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 09:27:00 -0600

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of home fires. One out of three home fires begins in the kitchen - more than any other place in the home. The number one cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. And, NFPA data shows that Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for home cooking fires.

In 2017, State Farm paid more than $130 million for nearly 2,700 cooking/grease fire homeowners* claims across the U.S.

*Note: excludes renters and condo unit claims.

Because many families and friends gather in the kitchen during the holidays, it is important to follow some cooking safety tips to keep your kitchen free of fire risks and hazards.

Here are some easy cooking safety reminders from NFPA and a Recipe4Safety card you can download for your own kitchen.

What you should know about home cooking safety

Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire

Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Safety considerations for cooking with oil

Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.
Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing.
Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.
Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water on the fire.
If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside.

Mouse over the dots on the interactive image below to see the safety tips.

Additional Resources:

Good Neighbor Stories

State Farm® Releases Latest Cooking Fire Statistics and Safety Tips to Help Prevent Kitchen Fires

Don’t Let Cooking Fires Ruin Your Holiday Season