Housekeeping · 주방 화재 예방

Small Pan Grease Fires: Prevention, Lid Safety and Evacuation

Never leave heating oil unattended. Keep a suitable pan lid nearby and evacuate rather than fight a spreading fire.

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A small pan grease fire can escalate quickly. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends staying beside the pan and turning off the heat when oil smokes. If an adult can safely cover a very small contained pan fire, sliding a lid on is an option, but water can spread burning oil. Evacuation is the default when in doubt.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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1. Stay near the stove whenever frying or sautéing and never leave hot oil unattended. Turn off the burner if oil begins smoking.
2. Keep a suitable metal pan lid or other appropriate cover safely nearby and turn pan handles toward the back of the stove.
3. Only for a very small fire contained in the pan, if a trained or capable adult has safe access and a clear exit, consider carefully sliding a lid over the pan from the side as USFA advises.
4. If it is safe, switch off the heat. Do not pick up or move the pan; leave the lid in place until the contents have cooled completely to prevent reignition.
5. Never pour water on burning grease, carry a burning pan to the sink or throw flour on the fire. Stop any attempt if flames spread or smoke worsens.
6. If unsafe or uncertain, evacuate everyone at once, close the door if safely possible, and call emergency services (119 in South Korea). Untrained people should prioritize escape over firefighting.

U.S. Fire AdministrationPictograph: Cook Top Fire Safety Tips ↗USFA original pictograph page read: slide a lid over a small grease fire, shut off heat, do not move pan and leave cover until cooled.U.S. Fire AdministrationCooking Fire Safety ↗Primary USFA page last reviewed Sept 28 2026: stay by pan, if grease smokes turn heat off, keep suitable lid nearby, inward handles.U.S. Fire AdministrationCooking Fire Safety Pictographs ↗Fire safety visual resource warns about pan handles, oil fire response, not moving pan and appliance hazards.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

Further reading

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