CAMDEN residents are being warned not to become complacent and leave cooking unattended on the stove.Camden Fire Brigade commander Rodd Bland said the NSW Fire Brigades was running a kitchen fire safety campaign this month.

He said almost half of all home fires started in the kitchen.Station commander Bland said water should never be used to put out fat and oil fires because water could cause the fire to spread rapidly.

``If cooking oil catches fire, turn off the hotplate and slide the lid over the pan or use a fire blanket to smother the fire,'' he said.``If it is safe to do so, then call Triple Zero (000) so that fire firefighters can ensure the fire is completely extinguished.``[Fire extinguishers] should be situated at least one metre away from the stove and between the stove and the nearest exit.''