Is it safe to stay after a small kitchen fire?

A grease fire on the stove or a toaster that caught fire can be over in seconds. But even when the flames are out, the smoke and soot left behind can be harmful, and the damage is not always visible. Here is how to tell whether it is safe to stay — and what to do next.

1. Make sure the fire is completely out

If the fire department came, follow their advice before going back in. If you put the fire out yourself, check that nothing is still smouldering inside the range hood, behind the stove or in the cabinets above it. If you are not sure, call 911 — firefighters would rather check than miss something.

2. Check the electrical and gas

If the fire involved an appliance, outlet or wiring, switch off that circuit and do not use it until an electrician checks it. If you smell gas, leave the home right away and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.

3. Air out the smoke — carefully

Open windows, and turn on the range hood only if it was not damaged. Smoke contains fine particles and chemicals that irritate the lungs. Children, older adults, pregnant people, pets and anyone with asthma or heart conditions should stay somewhere else until the air is clear.

4. Look beyond the kitchen

Smoke travels. Check ceilings, walls and vents in nearby rooms for a grey or black film. Soot on surfaces far from the stove means the smoke has spread, and the cleanup is bigger than it looks.

5. Do not wipe the soot yourself

Soot is oily and acidic. Wiping it with a wet cloth smears it deeper into paint and grout and can leave permanent stains. Different types of soot need different cleaning methods.

6. Throw out exposed food and call your insurer

Throw away food, spices and medicine that were near the fire or exposed to smoke and heat, even in closed containers. Take photos of the damage before cleanup and call your insurance company — even a small fire is often covered.

When it is not safe to stay

Stay somewhere else if the fire damaged the wiring or gas line, the smoke smell is strong in the bedrooms, soot has spread beyond the kitchen, or anyone at home has breathing problems. A restoration team can check the damage, clean the soot and remove the odour so your home is safe again, often within a few days.