As a college student bound for med school less than 10 years ago, if someone had told me that my impact in the world would stem from a passion for innovative kitchen technology, I’d surely think they were mistaken. Honestly, I never thought I’d know this much about kitchen anything. And on many days, I do have to keep pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming (or having a nightmare, depending on how you view the entrepreneur life).

As you likely know by now, at Ome, we’re redefining kitchen safety with our Smart Knob, a proprietary retrofit device that quickly transforms any gas or electric stove into a smart appliance by simply replacing the existing knobs. It’s the only product on the market designed to combat the leading cause of house fires in the U.S. — "unattended cooking" — with advanced automation.

Many people assume “unattended cooking” simply means leaving the kitchen — but it’s not that simple. Quite frankly, it’s very rare that someone intentionally leaves the stove on to “cook unattended.” What we really need to talk about is distracted cooking. Real-life distractions come in many forms, from the cat jumping up on the counter, to kids asking questions about their homework, to our phones pulling our attention. Even focusing on prepping your main course while your side dish is simmering on the stove can lead to unintended mishaps. With these distractions, it only takes a moment for a cooking fire to start.

Now is the Time for Kitchen Safety to be Addressed, Once and For All

This year, awareness about kitchen safety has reached new heights. Videos of pets turning on stoves unintentionally and causing fires have gone viral across social media. CNN's coverage of a viral video showed a dog accidentally turning on the stove while jumping to sniff some boxes. Similar videos across the country showed dogs even climbing on chairs to reach food on the counter or stove, accidentally turning on a burner and starting a fire. Some dog crates have now been marketed as a way to keep dogs safe from such incidents when owners are away from home.

Shortly after that CNN video, one of the largest appliance manufacturers recalled 1.1 million electric ranges after receiving over 300 reports of “unintentional activation” of the front-mounted knobs by humans or pets — resulting in 250 fires, at least 18 of which caused extensive property damage and 40 injuries. Sadly, 7 of those fires resulted in pet deaths.

TikTok even showed an increase of home cooking fire videos, some serving to educate as to just how easily cooking fires are started. One woman even live streamed a cooking video, accidentally started a fire on the stove, then later added tips on what to do/not do in case of fire.

These alarming stories are a reminder that the kitchen — the heart of the home — can also be a source of great danger. A kitchen should feel safe and welcoming, not a place of anxiety. I want to emphasize “distracted cooking” again as the real culprit. Kids, pets, work, our phones, constant interruptions that are only becoming more abundant — the societal trend of multitasking is creating more danger in the kitchen than we realize without a widespread, standardized solution.

Prioritizing Kitchen Safety for Every Home

As homeowners, we often approach safety after the fact — like installing a security system after a break-in. But kitchen safety is an area where being proactive truly matters. With the hustle and bustle of a busy household, the risk of cooking fires is real, and it only takes a moment of distraction.

My mission, and by extension our mission at Ome, has always been to foster a safer cooking environment and encourage positive habits that support health and well-being at any age. Cooking, eating, and spending time together in the kitchen was a staple of my childhood and a way for my family to connect. Cooking also brings numerous health benefits as we grow older, from reducing cognitive decline to supporting emotional well-being. 

Prioritizing cooking safety doesn’t have to mean sacrifice; with the right tools and awareness, it’s possible to enjoy the full potential of your kitchen without fear. Together, we can shift the narrative from reactive to proactive, ensuring every household prioritizes safety as much as creativity and comfort. Together, let’s reimagine what it means to cook with confidence and peace of mind.

Feel free to connect with me and reach out any time on LinkedIn. If these thoughts resonated with you, or if you have comments or stories from your own life, I’d love to hear from you! For more information, visit www.omekitchen.com and follow Ome on LinkedIn to keep up with our news.

About the author

Akshita Iyer is the Founder and CEO of Ome, a technology company that is redefining the cooking experience with its patented Smart Knob, aligning the company’s mission with the growing demand for automated and stress-free kitchen solutions. Her expertise in appliance safety and performance is further recognized through her role on the UL 858 Technical Committee, which ensures the highest standards for household appliances. Her current focus as a Technical Committee Member at UL Standards & Engagement involves collaborating with industry leaders to enhance the safety and reliability of cooking appliances. At Ome, she leads a team dedicated to transforming kitchens worldwide with Ome’s innovative smart system, contributing to a safer and more connected future.

About Ome

Ome is a technology company that builds smart solutions for safer homes. Founded with the mission of enhancing kitchen safety first, the company's flagship product is the Ome Smart Knob: a proprietary, retrofit device that turns any gas or electric stove into a smart appliance in minutes, simply by replacing its existing knobs. Its benefits include automatic shut-off for distracted cooking, remote control and monitoring of burners, real-time alerts, automated cooking timers, and safety locks — providing peace of mind for consumers. With applications in various markets, from parents and seniors aging in place to multi-unit buildings, Ome creates safer homes for all.