Your Number One Guide to Oven Safety

Sam Simon

September 24, 2025

Oven fires are one of the leading causes of kitchen damage in Chicagoland. Learn proactive oven safety tips, what to do if a fire starts, and how ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides trusted fire damage restoration in Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and Oak Park-River Forest.

The Hidden Fire Hazard in Your Kitchen

When most Chicago homeowners think about fire hazards, they imagine faulty wiring, candles, or space heaters. But one of the most common culprits is sitting right in your kitchen: the oven. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires in the United States, with ovens and stovetops leading the list.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve responded to countless calls where a simple kitchen mishap spiraled into smoke damage, soot deposits, or even a devastating fire that required full fire damage restoration. The good news? Most oven-related fires are preventable.

This guide will help you spot hidden risks, adopt practical oven safety habits, and know what to do if disaster strikes.

Why Oven Safety Matters Year-Round

Holiday spike in fires: Thanksgiving and Christmas are peak times for cooking-related fires in Illinois homes.
Everyday use risks: Even weekday meal prep can turn dangerous if grease builds up or aluminum foil traps heat.
Hidden damage: Small oven flare-ups may not cause visible flames but can leave behind smoke and soot that seep into cabinets, walls, and HVAC systems.

The bottom line? Oven safety isn’t just about avoiding burned dinners. It’s about protecting your home, your family, and your investment.

Top Oven Safety Tips for Chicagoland Homes

1. Keep It Clean

Grease and crumbs ignite faster than you think. Clean your oven regularly—whether you use the self-cleaning cycle or scrub by hand. Don’t forget the stovetop and the hood vent.

2. Install and Maintain Equipment Properly

Ensure your oven and range hood are correctly installed.
Check the anti-tip bracket (often discarded after installation). It prevents tipping if a child leans on the oven door.

3. Dress and Prepare Safely

Tie back long hair and roll up sleeves.
Wear non-slip shoes.
Use oven mitts or potholders, never towels.

4. Keep Flammables Away

Towels, paper products, plastic utensils, and even clutter near the oven can act as kindling. Create a clear, safe cooking zone.

5. Don’t Use the Oven for Storage

It may be tempting to stash pans or baking trays inside, but forgotten items can ignite the next time you turn on the heat.

6. Watch Children and Pets

Use gates to keep toddlers away from the kitchen.
Teach older children oven safety basics.
Keep pets from brushing against hot appliances.

7. Skip the Aluminum Foil Hack

Foil on the bottom of the oven or on racks blocks airflow, traps heat, and can spark fires or carbon monoxide buildup. Use a drip pan instead.

8. Have a Fire Extinguisher Ready

Keep a Class K fire extinguisher near your cooking area. For small oven fires, keep the door closed to suffocate flames, then extinguish if safe.

What To Do If an Oven Fire Happens

Even with preparation, accidents can happen. Here’s a step-by-step response plan:

Turn off the oven immediately.
Keep the door closed to cut off oxygen.
Use a fire extinguisher if flames persist and it is safe to do so.
Call 911 right away if the fire spreads or you’re unsure.
Once safe, contact a professional restoration company to address smoke, soot, and fire damage.

Even a minor oven fire can leave behind invisible smoke particles that damage walls, ceilings, and HVAC systems. That’s when our expert team steps in.

How ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons Helps After Kitchen Fires

With over 40 years of local expertise and the backing of ServiceMaster, the nation’s oldest restoration brand founded in Chicago in 1929, our team specializes in restoring homes after oven and cooking-related fires.

Our certified experts provide:

Smoke & Soot Cleaning: Removal from cabinets, walls, and ceilings.
Odor Neutralization: Thermal fogging and ozone treatments to eliminate smoke smell.
Structural Cleaning: Deep cleaning of surfaces affected by soot and grease.
HVAC Cleaning: Ensuring smoke doesn’t circulate through your home.
Content Cleaning & Packout: Safely cleaning or storing personal belongings.

We are proud members of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), hold the IICRC’s highest certifications (Master Fire & Water Restorer), and were honored as a 2025 Inc. 5000 honoree for growth and excellence.

When your oven mishap becomes a disaster, trust us for professional fire damage restoration across Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and Oak Park-River Forest.

Local Expertise: We Serve Your Community

We proudly serve:

Chicago neighborhoods: Logan Square, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Rogers Park, Edgewater, and beyond.
North Shore towns: Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Glenview, Skokie, and Northbrook.
Lake County: Deerfield, Lake Bluff, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, Libertyville, Vernon Hills, and Mundelein.
Oak Park & River Forest, plus nearby DuPage communities.

Wherever you live, our crews are on call 24/7 to respond quickly.

FAQ: Oven Safety & Fire Restoration

Q: What should I do if my oven catches fire while cooking?
A: Keep the oven door closed, turn off the appliance, and call 911 if flames persist. Once safe, schedule professional cleanup to handle smoke and soot.

Q: Can smoke from an oven fire damage my home even if flames were contained?
A: Yes. Smoke and soot can spread quickly, discolor walls, and embed odors in furniture and HVAC systems. Professional fire damage restoration is essential.

Q: How often should I clean my oven to prevent fires?
A: Wipe spills immediately and deep-clean every 3–6 months, depending on usage.

Q: Why not use aluminum foil in the oven?
A: It restricts airflow, traps heat, and can spark fires. Use a drip pan instead.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a multi-award-winning, family-operated firm led by CEO Nasutsa Mabwa and Sam Simon, an IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer. We’ve provided trusted disaster restoration services in Chicagoland for over 40 years.

Our services include:

We’re proud members of the RIA, IICRC Certified, MBE/WBE certified, and recipients of the Chicago Star Award, BBB Torch Award, and the 2025 Inc. 5000 recognition.

Don’t miss our book: RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset.

For 24/7 help, call (773) 376-1110.

Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
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Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of partner and CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

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