Cooking Safety
The #1 cause of house fires, accounting for 42% of reported incidents, is cooking. Open flames from the stove and intense heat in the oven easily result in a fire when unsupervised. Most often food or cooking tools catch fire and quickly lose control.
In 2021, fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 170,000 home cooking fires. These fires caused an estimated 135 deaths, 3,000 injuries and over $494 million in property loss.
Indoor Cooking Safety
Stay in the kitchen: Don't leave the stove unattended, even for a moment.
Keep it cool: Let grease cool before disposing of it in the garbage. Don't pour grease or oil down the drain.
Keep it on: Use a timer to remind you when food is cooking or baking.
Install a Smoke Detector: Install smoke detectors at least 10 feet away from kitchen appliances.
Keep it away from your body: Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves.
Keep it clear: Keep your cooking area free of combustible materials like food packaging, oven mitts, and towels.
Keep it away from kids: Create a kid-free zone of at least three feet around the stove.
Keep it away from the stove: Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they can't be bumped or pulled over.
Know what to do: Educate yourself and your family on what to do in case of a kitchen fire.
Keep it covered: Use a pan lid or baking sheet to cover a pan if it catches fire.
Avoid extension cords: Plug small appliances directly into an outlet. Mind clutter from cords of hand mixers, toasters, coffee pots, etc.
Keep it clean: Clean your stovetop, oven, and other cooking appliances regularly to prevent grease buildup.
Keep it safe: Have a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
Outdoor Cooking Safety
Local Fire Ordinance Section 11: Storage and/or Use of Appliances Prohibited
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11.1 No person shall place or maintain gas or propane cylinders on porches, breezeways or balconies or attached garages in multi-unit, multi-story buildings.
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11.2 No person shall store or use any charcoal, gas or wood fired heaters, grills, barbecues, or smokers on porches, balconies, or breezeway of any multi-unit, multi-story buildings.
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11.3 No person shall store or use any other heat producing device or appliance which is determined by the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) to be unsafe due to its application or use.
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11.4 Penalty, See Section 17
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Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC), 7th Edition
NFPA 1:10.10.6 Cooking Equipment
NPFA 1:10.10.6.1 For other than one- and two-family dwellings, no hibachi, grill, or other similar devices used for cooking, heating, or any other purpose shall be used or kindled on any balcony, under any overhanging portion, or within 10 ft (3 m) of any structure.
Applies to all single family ATTACHED greater than 3 units, townhomes, and apartments etc.
NFPA 1:10.10.6.1.1 (Florida specific) Listed electric portable, tabletop grills, not to exceed 200 square inches of cooking surface, or other similar apparatus shall be permitted.
Listed electric portable and tabletop grills which DO NOT EXCEED 2OO square inches (example 10" x 20") of cooking surface are allowed.
NFPA 1:10.10.6.2 For other than one- and two-family dwellings, no hibachi, grill, or other similar devices used for cooking shall be stored on a balcony.
Cooking appliances are not permitted to be stored or used on a balcony.
An HOA / Building Management may have more stringent requirements or prohibit any or all of the above, but may not waive any of the above. Please consult your HOA or Building Management first.