Why should you never leave cooking food unattended?

• A. Because it wastes energy.
• B. Because you might miss timer alerts.
• C. Stay in the kitchen, especially if cooking with grease or at high heat.
• D. Because it makes food taste better.

Answer: (C)

Staying in the kitchen while you cook is essential because conditions can change quickly and hazards can develop in moments. When food is on high heat or cooking with grease, a small moment of inattention can let a fire start, a pan boil over, or oil spit and ignite. Being nearby lets you see smoke or hear changes in the sizzle, and you can act immediately—lower the heat, move the pan, turn off the burner, or cover a small flame with a lid—before a minor issue becomes a major danger. This close supervision is especially important with greasy or high-heat cooking, where the risk is greatest. Timers are helpful, but they can’t replace being present to monitor what’s happening in real time.