News

Fire Prevention Week Comes to the Air Fryer, and Safer Crisping Starts With Smart Placement

Posted on October 8, 2026October 8, 2026Posted in Announcement, Appliances, Cooking, Family, Health, Holidays, Kitchen, NewsTagged cooking, cooking at home, cosmo appliances, kitchen, NewsNo Comments

Fire Prevention Week is in its final days, running October 4 through 10, and the National Fire Protection Association has centered this year’s campaign on a habit nearly every household repeats daily. The 2026 theme, Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower, focuses on lithium ion batteries and the everyday choices that keep phones, tablets, and cordless tools from overheating. In most homes, those devices charge on the same counter that holds the appliances that run the hottest. One of those appliances has quickly become an everyday essential. The air fryer now handles weeknight vegetables, frozen snacks, leftovers, and game day wings. Because it sits on the counter, runs hot, and is often used casually, it deserves a place in this week’s conversation. Why the Air Fryer Belongs in the Fire Safety Conversation An air fryer replaces a pot of hot oil with a compact chamber of fast moving hot air, removing one of the most familiar cooking fire risks. That does not make it risk free. Inside the housing, a heating element sits just above the food while a fan circulates air around it, so anything that drifts upward or collects below can overheat. Most air fryer problems follow a few predictable patterns. Grease and crumbs build up in the basket or pan and smoke during the next cycle. Loose parchment or foil is lifted by the fan into the heating element. The unit is pushed against a wall or tucked under a cabinet, trapping the hot air it vents. Each can be prevented with a small adjustment. The broader numbers explain why the counter deserves attention. NFPA estimates that from 2020 through 2024, kitchen and cooking equipment was involved in 48 percent of home structure fires each year, and unattended cooking remains a leading contributing factor. A countertop appliance with a timer can make it tempting to walk away, which is why the habits around it matter as much as the appliance itself. Give the Air Fryer Room to Breathe Placement is the first safety decision. An air fryer draws air in and pushes hot air out, usually through vents at the back or top of the unit, so it needs open space on every side. Set it on a flat, stable, heat resistant surface, away from the wall, the backsplash, and the edge of the counter, and follow the clearance distances listed in the owner’s manual. Avoid running it beneath upper cabinets, where rising heat and steam can collect against the underside of the cabinetry. Keep paper towels, mail, dish cloths, and plastic containers well away from the exhaust while the unit runs. Never operate an air fryer on the stovetop, even when the burners are off, since it is easy for someone to turn on the wrong knob. The power connection matters just as much. NFPA recommends plugging major heat producing appliances directly into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord or power strip. Choose an appliance listed by a qualified testing laboratory, check the cord regularly, and replace the appliance if the cord is frayed, kinked, or damaged. Everyday Habits That Prevent Air Fryer Fires Start with what goes in the basket. Avoid overfilling it, since food pressed against the top of the chamber sits too close to the heating element and cooks unevenly. Liners deserve extra care. Use only parchment or liners the manufacturer approves, never place a liner in the basket during preheating, and always weigh it down with food. A loose sheet can be lifted by the fan into the heating element in seconds. Foil should not block the airflow at the bottom of the basket, and paper towels do not belong inside the chamber at all. Bacon, wings, and sausages release grease that collects below the basket and can smoke heavily. Drain it between batches. Finally, stay in the room. A timer makes it easy to set a cook and walk away, but checking the food, especially toward the end of the cycle, catches problems before they grow. When the cycle ends, pull the basket out slowly and keep your face and hands clear of the steam. Cleaning Is a Fire Safety Step Leftover grease and crumbs are among the most common causes of smoke in an air fryer. Residue that stays in the basket or pan reheats with every cycle until it begins to char. Let the unit cool completely, unplug it, and clean the basket and pan after each use. Every so often, check the inside of the chamber and the area around the heating element for buildup, following the manual’s instructions and keeping water away from the electrical parts. How the Cosmo COS-58AFAKSS Supports Safer Habits Cosmo’s COS-58AFAKSS is a 5.8 quart electric hot air fryer with a stainless steel finish, designed for households that cook for several people at once. Its 1400 watt heating system and high speed air circulation handle frying, baking, grilling, and roasting with little to no added oil, which means one less pot of hot grease on the stovetop. Several of its features connect directly to the habits above. Separate knobs control temperature and time, so settings are easy to read at a glance. The temperature dial adjusts from 180°F to 400°F, allowing gentler settings for reheating and delicate foods instead of defaulting to maximum heat. The timer runs up to 30 minutes, and the auto shut-off feature turns off the heating element when the countdown ends, which helps protect against overcooking if a distraction runs longer than planned. That feature works best as a backup to attention, not a replacement for it. Cleaning is straightforward. The non-stick coated basket and grill pan are dishwasher safe, which makes it easier to clear grease after every use. Cosmo lists the unit as ETL Listed, which aligns with NFPA’s advice to choose appliances tested by a qualified laboratory. At 12.9 by 11.4 by 14.7 inches, plan for that footprint plus the recommended clearance. Charging and the Air Fryer Do Not Share

Fire Prevention Week Reaches the Microwave, and Safer Habits Start at Counter Height

Posted on October 7, 2026October 7, 2026Posted in Announcement, Appliances, Cooking, Family, Health, Home, NewsTagged cooking at home, kitchen, kitchen appliances, NewsNo Comments

Fire Prevention Week is underway, running October 4 through 10, and the National Fire Protection Association has built this year’s campaign around something most people handle dozens of times a day. The 2026 theme, Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower, focuses on lithium ion batteries and the habits that keep them from overheating. Those batteries power the phones, earbuds, tablets, and cordless tools that collect on kitchen counters, often within arm’s reach of the appliances that produce the most heat in the home. Most kitchen safety advice this week centers on the stovetop, and for good reason. The microwave deserves its own attention, though. It is the appliance people use most casually and often the first one children learn to operate. That familiarity is why a few deliberate habits, along with a thoughtful choice about where it sits, can make a real difference. Why the Microwave Belongs in the Fire Safety Conversation A microwave has no open flame and no glowing coil, so it rarely feels like a fire risk. It can still start one. Food heated too long can char and ignite, a forgotten bag of popcorn can scorch within minutes, and metal such as foil, twist ties, or dishes with metallic trim can spark inside the cavity. Paper products that are not labeled microwave safe, including some takeout containers and brown paper bags, can also overheat and catch. Fire is only part of the picture. NFPA notes that scald burns are the leading cause of injury from microwave ovens. Steam trapped under a plastic cover, a bowl of soup heated unevenly, or a mug of water that boils over can all cause injuries in the moments after the timer ends. Placement plays a role in those moments, because every hot dish has to travel from the cavity to the counter, and a shorter, lower trip is a safer one. Everyday Habits That Prevent Microwave Fires Start with what goes inside. Use only containers labeled microwave safe, and keep foil, metal utensils, and dishes with metallic accents out of the cavity. Follow package directions for popcorn and other convenience foods rather than guessing, and when in doubt, start with less time. A few extra seconds are easy to add and impossible to take back. Stay nearby while food heats, especially anything high in sugar or fat, which heats quickly and can scorch. How the microwave is powered matters too. NFPA recommends choosing a model listed by a qualified testing laboratory and plugging it directly into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord. Keep the interior clean, since leftover splatter can burn on the next cycle, and never run the microwave empty or use it to store paper or utensils. The minutes after cooking deserve the same care. Open covered dishes slowly and away from the face, stir food to break up hot spots, and let liquids rest briefly before lifting them out. The FDA cautions that water heated in a very clean, smooth container can become superheated without visibly boiling and erupt when it is moved. NFPA also advises never warming a baby bottle in the microwave, since uneven heating can leave dangerous pockets of hot liquid. Placement Is a Safety Decision NFPA’s microwave guidance includes a detail that is easy to overlook: the microwave should sit at a safe height, within easy reach of everyone who uses it. In many homes it is mounted above the range or set on a high shelf, which means lifting a hot bowl at shoulder level, sometimes over active burners. For shorter adults, older family members, and children warming their own snacks, that overhead motion is where spills and scalds often begin. A Microwave Drawer Brings the Heat Down to Safe Reach Cosmo’s COS-12MWDSS is a 24 inch built in microwave drawer designed for installation beneath the counter in standard kitchen cabinetry. Instead of a door that swings open at eye level, the drawer slides outward and the cavity faces upward, so food is lowered in and lifted out from above. The touch control panel runs along the top edge of the drawer at counter height, and Cosmo notes that this layout makes drawer microwaves accessible to a wider range of users than countertop models on high surfaces or over the range models. That design lines up closely with the safe height principle. A hot dish comes out at about waist level and goes straight onto the counter, with no reaching overhead and no stretching across a cooktop. The 1.2 cubic foot cavity runs on 1000 watts with 11 power levels, so delicate tasks like softening butter or melting chocolate can happen at lower power instead of a full blast that risks scorching. Four automatic presets for melt, soften, popcorn, and beverage take some of the guesswork out of common jobs, and weight and time defrost options work with an included defrosting rack. The child lock carries extra weight in a drawer. Because the unit sits lower, it is within easier reach of small hands, and when the lock is engaged it disables the control panel so the drawer cannot start a cooking cycle. In homes with young children, keeping the lock on by default is a simple habit worth building. It is worth being clear about what a drawer does not change. The COS-12MWDSS is not fire suppression equipment, and it does not ventilate the cooktop, so a range hood still has its own job to do. The drawer requires a 24 inch base cabinet cutout, a dedicated 120V outlet inside the cabinet, which fits NFPA’s advice against extension cords, and proper clearance so heat does not build up in the enclosed space. Follow the installation guide or work with a qualified installer. Charge Devices Away From Heat, Including the Microwave Back to this year’s theme. In many kitchens, a countertop microwave doubles as a shelf, and phones or tablets end up charging on top of it, right where warm air escapes during use. NFPA warns

Fire Prevention Week Starts With Safer Cooking and Clearer Air

Posted on October 6, 2026October 7, 2026Posted in Appliances, Cooking, Family, Health, Home, NewsTagged cooking, cooking at home, kitchen, kitchen appliances, NewsNo Comments

In 2026, the National Fire Protection Association is focusing on safe charging for devices powered by lithium ion batteries. Phones, tablets, cordless vacuums, and power tools often share counter space with meal preparation, so charging habits belong in any conversation about a safer kitchen. Cooking brings everyday risks. A hot pan, unattended oil, or a towel too close to a burner can turn a familiar meal into an emergency. A range hood can capture airborne grease, smoke, and odors, helping keep the cooking area comfortable and easier to maintain. It does not prevent or put out a fire, but good equipment and attentive habits can work together. A Familiar Room With Real Fire Risks Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires in the United States. In its analysis of 2017 through 2021 incidents, the NFPA estimated an average of 158,400 reported home cooking fires each year. Ranges and cooktops were involved in 53 percent of those fires. The same report identifies unattended cooking as the leading contributing factor. These figures describe a real hazard, but they also point to an everyday opportunity: many incidents begin in familiar circumstances that people can learn to recognize. A pan of oil heats while someone answers the door. A pot boils over while a cook steps into another room. A dish towel slides close to a flame. None of these moments means a fire is inevitable, and no single appliance can remove the need for attention. They are reminders to keep the cooking zone clear, stay nearby, and make decisions before a distraction takes over. Stay Present at the Stove Stay in the kitchen when frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you need to leave, turn off the burner first. For simmering, roasting, or baking, check the food regularly, set a timer, and remain at home. A timer helps with memory, but it is not a substitute for checking on what is cooking. Keep paper towels, packaging, utensils, oven mitts, and dish cloths away from burners. Turn pan handles toward the center of the stove. Wear short or close fitting sleeves, and establish a three foot zone around the cooking area for children and pets. Wipe spills when the surface is cool, and do not use the oven or stovetop as storage. These habits also make ventilation more effective. When cooking creates steam or smoke, switch on the hood before the air spreads through the room. Use a lower setting for gentle simmering and a stronger setting for searing or several active burners. Leave it running briefly after cooking to clear lingering fumes, following the appliance instructions. What a Range Hood Can and Cannot Do Cosmo’s COS-QS48 is a 48 inch under cabinet range hood featured in a recent Cosmo product article. Its two motors provide up to 500 CFM of airflow, and its four speed fan lets a cook adjust ventilation to the meal. A backlit LCD touch panel and wireless remote make it possible to change settings without reaching across hot cookware. Three LED lights illuminate the cooking surface. Three permanent ARC FLOW stainless steel filters capture airborne grease and are dishwasher safe. The hood is designed for top venting, sending captured air through ductwork to the exterior when installed in that configuration. Confirm the hood, duct route, clearances, and electrical setup suit the kitchen, and follow the installation guide. A range hood is ventilation equipment, not a fire suppression system. It cannot make unattended cooking safe, stop a pan fire, or replace a smoke alarm. Grease that collects on filters and nearby surfaces also needs attention. The useful role of the COS-QS48 is more modest and practical: its width suits larger cooking surfaces, its fan offers several ventilation levels, and its removable filters can be cleaned. These features can support a kitchen that is easier to keep clear and comfortable while cooking. Keep Filters and Cooking Surfaces Clean Grease buildup can smoke during later cooking and add fuel to a fire if it catches. Check filters regularly, especially after frequent frying or high heat cooking. Remove and clean them as directed in the owner’s manual, and let them dry fully before reinstalling. Wipe the hood underside, backsplash, and nearby cabinets with a suitable cleaner, keeping moisture away from the controls. Clean the cooktop only after it has cooled, and remove crumbs or spilled food before the next meal. Check that the fan and lights are working as expected. If airflow seems weak, inspect the filter and consult the manual or a qualified installer about the ducting. A hood that is incorrectly sized or installed may not capture cooking byproducts as intended, so measure the cooking surface and verify fit before choosing equipment. Charge Devices Away From Cooking Heat The 2026 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” calls attention to lithium ion batteries in household devices. A charging phone on a kitchen counter may seem harmless, but charging should happen away from hot appliances, splashes, and clutter. NFPA recommends using the manufacturer’s charger, choosing a hard flat surface, and unplugging the device when it is fully charged. Know the Plan Before a Fire Starts Working smoke alarms provide an early warning. Install them on every level, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace batteries or units as directed. Keep alarms at least 10 feet from cooking appliances when possible to reduce nuisance alarms, while following local requirements and the alarm instructions. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, turn off the heat if safe and slide a lid over it. Do not move the pan or remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on burning oil or grease. For an oven fire, turn it off and keep the door closed. If the fire does not go out promptly, or you have any doubt, get everyone outside, close the door behind you, and call 911. Do not reenter. Make Safety Part

Fire Prevention Week Starts in the Kitchen, and the Safest Habits Begin at the Range

Posted on October 5, 2026October 7, 2026Posted in Appliances, Family, Health, Home, Kitchen, NewsTagged cooking at home, cosmo appliances, kitchen, kitchen appliances, NewsNo Comments

Every October, the National Fire Protection Association asks the country to spend a week thinking about something most households would rather avoid: how a fire actually starts. Fire Prevention Week runs October 4 to 10 this year, timed around the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and it is one of the longest running public safety observances in the United States. This year’s theme, Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower, puts the spotlight on lithium ion batteries, the rechargeable power source inside phones, tablets, laptops, cordless tools, and a growing list of small kitchen devices. A week about charging might not sound like a kitchen story, but the kitchen is where fire safety and daily life overlap the most. It is where dinner simmers, phones charge on the counter, and a tablet propped against the backsplash walks someone through a recipe. Cooking is also the leading cause of home fires in the country, which makes this the right week to look at the room with fresh eyes, especially in Southern California, where October already brings a heightened awareness of fire. The Numbers Behind the Busiest Room in the House NFPA estimates that from 2020 through 2024, kitchen and cooking equipment was involved in 48 percent of home structure fires each year, along with 35 percent of home fire injuries and 16 percent of home fire deaths. Ranges and cooktops account for just over half of home cooking fire incidents, and about two thirds of home cooking fires begin when food or other cooking materials ignite. Unattended equipment is a factor in roughly one quarter of those fires and about half of the deaths connected to them. The calendar matters too. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, with NFPA counting an estimated 1,446 of them on Thanksgiving Day in 2023, nearly five times the daily average. These numbers are not meant to alarm anyone. They point to something encouraging, which is that most cooking fires follow familiar patterns, and familiar patterns can be interrupted by ordinary habits. Stay Close to What You Are Cooking Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in home cooking fires, and the reason is easy to understand. A pan of oil can go from shimmering to smoking in a few minutes, and a phone call, a doorbell, or a quick trip to the garage is all it takes to lose track of it. The simplest rule in kitchen safety is also the most effective: if you leave the kitchen while frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling, turn the burner off first. For anything that cooks slowly, such as a roast, a simmering pot of chili, or a tray of cookies, set a timer and stay in the home while it runs. Keep towels, paper packaging, and oven mitts away from the burners, wear sleeves that are short or snug when you cook, and give children a three foot zone around the range. Good habits go further when the appliance supports them, and that is where Cosmo’s newest range comes in. The COS-RIS365SS is a 36 inch induction range from the Stellar Collection, and its cooktop works differently from a gas or traditional electric surface. Induction burners heat cookware directly using electromagnetic energy, which means there is no open flame and the heat is created in the pan rather than in an element beneath the glass. Cosmo describes the result as faster, safer, and more efficient cooking, which is a meaningful starting point for a household that wants fewer ignition sources near the stove. The five burners cover a full range of cooking, including a 2500W burner, two 1600W burners, two 1200W burners, and a 3600W sync bridge that joins burners for larger cookware like griddles. It is worth being clear about what induction does and does not change. A glass surface can still warm up from a hot pan, and food or oil in a pan can still ignite if it is left alone, so attention at the stove remains the most important safety feature in any kitchen. Induction also requires cookware with a magnetic base, and a simple refrigerator magnet will tell you whether a favorite pan qualifies. The oven carries its own safety details. The range includes an oven cavity cooling ventilation system for safe heat dissipation, overheating protection, and a cool to the touch oven handle to help prevent burns. The 6.1 cubic foot convection oven offers Bake, Convection Bake, Broil, Air Fry, Delay Start, and Keep Warm functions, with a digital display that includes a clock and timer, so the countdown you set for a roast is always in plain view. Air Fry uses a circulating fan and an included air fry tray to crisp food with less oil than conventional frying, which means one less pot of hot oil to watch. The range is CSA certified and should be installed according to its installation guide. Cleaning belongs in this conversation as well. Built up grease and food residue are a common source of smoke in an oven, so an oven that is easy to keep clean is easier to keep safe. The Steam Clean function loosens baked on residue using heat and moisture, which makes spills simple to wipe away before they have a chance to burn on again. Charging in the Kitchen, Honoring This Year’s Theme Back to the theme. The same counters that hold cutting boards also hold chargers, and the kitchen adds heat, steam, and spills to the mix. NFPA warns that damaged or incorrectly charged lithium ion batteries can overheat, catch fire, or explode, and a few small habits lower that risk considerably. Smoke Alarms and the First Sixty Seconds Smoke alarms are the quiet partner in every kitchen plan. Install them on every level of the home, inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area, test them monthly, and place them about 10 feet away from cooking appliances so that routine searing does not tempt anyone to remove