Kitchen Safety
Every year more people are injured and killed in fires in the home. Cooking fires cause the most injuries by far.
Safety Tips
- Do not leave the kitchen while you are cooking.
- If you have to leave the kitchen, turn the stove off or take something like a spoon or oven mitt as reminder food is on the stove.
- Never cook if you are sleepy, intoxicated or heavily medicated.
- Turn all pot handles inward. Small children and animals can bump into them spilling hot substances and causing someone to be burned.
- Keep stovetops clean and clear. Keep all appliances free of grease buildup. Move items such as oven mitts away from heat sources.
- Keep children away from appliances when cooking. If older children are allowed to cook, teach them safe cooking practices and watch them carefully.
- Keep pets away from the stove.
- Wear short of tight fitting sleeves while cooking. Use caution when reaching over the stove for other items. Do not store in flammable items above or behind the stove.
- Never stand in or near water while using an electrical appliance.
- Check regularly for frayed cords to appliances. Plug one appliance in an outlet at a time.
- Do not use defective appliances. Keep appliances properly maintained.
- Keep an ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher near the kitchen.
- Never put metallic materials in the microwave, sparks given off can result in a fire.
- Remember steam escaping from a pan or container can cause severe burns.
- Keep emergency numbers near the telephone.
- ALWAYS CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR ANY FIRE, even if it has been extinguished.
