Taipei is densely populated, making kitchen fire safety a key factor in home safety. Statistics from the Taipei City Fire Department show that among residential fire causes, unattended cooking has long ranked first, indicating that brief negligence during daily cooking can easily lead to fire risks. Establishing proper fire-use habits is essential to reducing incidents.
The Fire Department reminds the public to follow the principle of “stay with the fire while cooking.” Whenever leaving the kitchen, even briefly to answer a phone call or handle other tasks, the stove should be turned off first to prevent dry burning or overheating oil that may cause a fire. Even short absences can become critical moments for fire incidents.
In terms of equipment, it is recommended to strengthen kitchen safety measures, including installing fixed-temperature residential fire alarms that can issue alerts when abnormal heat is detected. Using stoves with automatic shut-off or anti-dry-burn functions is also advised. In addition, range hoods and exhaust ducts should be cleaned regularly to avoid grease buildup and reduce fire risks through routine maintenance.
If an oil pan fire occurs, remain calm and follow the principle of “cover, turn off, and wait.” Cover the pan, turn off the stove and range hood to prevent the fire from spreading. If the fire cannot be controlled, immediately alert others, evacuate, and call 119 (Taiwan emergency number). From daily habits to proper equipment and response, these steps help build a safer home environment.
