Prevent a kitchen or BBQ fire with these smart tips.

How to prevent kitchen fires at home

No matter the time of year, anything from dirty appliances, incense, candles or oil burners, home heating and smoking can be major culprits of home fires. Even a pileup of dry garden waste in the backyard can spark a fire from flying embers.

As a nation known for loving their food, we tend to spend a fair chunk of time in the kitchen so being fire safe at home is a no brainer.

Think before you cook

The kitchen is one of the key hubs for a home fire so please think before you cook. Don't leave your cooking unattended or keep flammables such as tea towels and oven mitts near the stove.

Be sure to heat cooking oil carefully and slowly to avoid splatters and place pot pan handles inwards so they won't be knocked over. Never use water to put out fat and oil fires as it can cause the fire to spread rapidly and cause burns. Also, remember that metal and microwaves don’t mix – that includes aluminium foil.

Be barbeque savvy

We all love a barbeque and with our favourable outdoor weather in Queensland we run them most weekends, but it’s important that you comply with any fire restrictions, especially total fire bans.

Ensure your barbeque is set up in a safe space. Consider keeping a splatter mat underneath, especially if your barbeque is located on a wooden patio or deck. The last important tip is to have a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure everyone knows how to use it. For those with a gas-fire barbeque, remember that LPG is flammable so consider installing a safety device that shuts off the gas from the cylinder should a leak occur.

No excuses tips

While nothing beats common sense, there are several simple measures to prevent, prepare and plan for fire safety in your home.

  • Replace batteries in your smoke detectors regularly and test them monthly
  • Don’t overload switches and only use power boards with built in safety switches/circuit breakers
  • Switch off and disconnect non-essential electrical appliances and IT equipment when not in use
  • Ensure any lights left on are safely located away from flammable items around the house, like curtains and that they are of the correct wattage
  • Consider organising a SafeHome visit. This is a free service provided by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services that recognises fire and safety hazards in and around the home.
  • Check that your home and contents insurance value is up to date including taking into account any renovations and new purchases. To help you calculate the replacement costs of your home and contents try these nifty calculators from our Insurance partner, CGU Insurance.

It can be costly to replace your home and contents, so contact your insurer with every update or purchase. 

This page provides general only and was written in partnership with our insurance partner, CGU Insurance. For up-to-date and specific advice relating to the risks in your area please speak to your local council or emergency services.


Insurance issued by Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 (IAL) trading as CGU. Any advice is general only and doesn’t take into account your personal circumstances. Consider the relevant PDS available in branch to see if a product is right for you. Queensland Country Bank Limited ABN 77 087 651 027 AFSL 244533 acts under an agreement with IAL.