ST. PAUL — School is done for the day, and now students are home alone. What is the first thing they most likely reach for? A snack — and many families' grocery bills can prove it. But if they're in the mood for grilled cheese and move toward the stovetop, the end result could be worse than just burnt bread. That's why practicing safe fire behavior now matters.

The leading cause of Minnesota structure fires in 2021 was cooking. Twenty percent of those fires turned deadly. Reinforcing safe cooking behaviors and teaching fire prevention and safety can help prevent tragedy.​​

These cooking safety tips are from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal (SFM) division:

• ​​​Stand by your pan. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off.

• Watch what you are cooking. Fires start when the heat is too high. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so that no one can bump them or pull them over.

• Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. This will put out the fire.

• Clean your cooking equipment after each use. Crumbs in a toaster or grease on the stove can catch fire.

• If you have a fire in your oven, turn it off. Let the contents cool before cleaning.

• If you have a fire in your oven and the flames escape, leave your home and call 911.

Not all fires set by children and teens are unintentional. SFM is seeing an increase in youth-set fires in 2023. The reasons why youth might set fires ranges from curiosity, anger, the need for attention, stress or they simply don't understand the dangers of fire.

Help is available for youth interested in or experimenting with fire. SFM can connect families with youth fire intervention specialists.

Parents can also take steps at home to help youth gain a healthy understanding of fire safety.

• Keep your home safe by removing matches or lighters from areas where children can find them.

• Help children understand that even small fires can be dangerous and deadly.

• Designate a safe meeting place outside your home everyone can get to after a fire and practice home fire drills twice a year.

For more fire safety and prevention tips, visit: dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/for-families/Pages/fire-facts-tips-what-you-need-to-know.aspx

Reporters interested in interviewing Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Amanda Swenson about back-to-school fire safety and prevention can contact Amber Schindeldecker at Amber.Schindeldecker@state.mn.us.