Although cooking is much safer than it was in the days of wood fires, it is still a good idea to have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. Cooking is chemistry and some mixtures are combustible. Most kitchen fires involve grease and cannot be put out using water. The foam from a fire extinguisher will smother them. To avoid wasting valuable time and avoid burns and property damage, keep a fire extinguisher in a handy spot and be sure everyone in your family knows where it is and how to use it. Just remember, the best fire extinguishers must be serviced regularly so they can be ready when you need them.