Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111

In the kitchen

Did you know that 1 in 4 house fires start in the kitchen?

Making your kitchen fire safe is an important part of having a fire safe home. Here are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk of a fire starting in the kitchen.

On this page

  • Keep your kitchen clean
  • When you’re cooking
  • Preventing scalds
  • If a fire starts
  • Smoke alarms or heat alarms?
  • Kitchen fire safety videos

Keep your kitchen clean

  • Clean your stovetop after each use.
    This prevents spilled fats and burnt foods from building up.
  • Clean rangehood filters regularly.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket somewhere in your kitchen.
    Make sure you know how to use them.

When you’re cooking

  • Don't drink and fry.
    Alcohol is involved in half of all fatal fires. Instead, pre-prepare a meal, get takeaways, or use the microwave. Never attempt to drink alcohol or take medication that makes you sleepy when cooking.
  • Don’t leave the room when cooking.
    If you have to, always turn off the stove first. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires in New Zealand.
  • Keep curtains, tea towels, oven mitts and any flammable items well away from the cooking area when you're cooking.

Preventing scalds

Another big danger in the kitchen is scalds — burns caused by boiling water.

  • Keep kids out of the kitchen or cooking areas when you're cooking or preparing meals.
  • Keep kettles, jugs and teapots away from the edge of benches, tables and stove top.
  • Turn saucepan handles so they're not sticking out over the floor. Use the elements or hot plates at the back of the stove if possible.
  • Make sure all upright stoves are securely fastened to the wall and keep oven doors closed, except when grilling as per manufacturers instructions.
  • For advice on treating scalds and burns, visit the St John website(external link). 

If a fire starts

  • If your frypan or pot is on fire, place the lid of the frypan or pot or another large flat object (like a chopping board) over the pan to starve the fire of oxygen.
  • If you have a fire in your oven, try to turn off the power or gas, either at the stove or at the mains.
  • Never throw water onto a frypan or pot that's on fire.
  • Never attempt to carry a burning frypan or pot outside.

Smoke alarms or heat alarms?

  • Don't install a smoke alarm in your kitchen. Smoke and heat from cooking (and the toaster) can activate the alarm. Smoke alarms shouldn't be installed in the bathroom or laundry either.

  • You can still protect these areas with a heat alarm. A heat alarm is designed to activate when the room reaches a set temperature. They are useful in places where a smoke alarm would usually give false alarms.

    For more information, take a look at our smoke alarm guide.