Cooking Safety

Preparing a meal can be one of the most pleasurable daily tasks for a family, especially in today’s busy environment. But cooking is the #1 cause of home fires in America. While families enjoy this time together, measures should be taken to make sure everyone stays safe.

To keep unintentional injuries out of your kitchen, the Home Safety Council suggests taking these simple steps to prevent kitchen fires and burns:

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking; if you must leave the kitchen briefly, turn down the heat on appliances and return to the kitchen quickly.
• Keep anything that can catch fire, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, curtains, etc., at least three feet away from the range top.
• Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing when cooking (such as long open sleeves) which can be ignited by hot burners. If clothes do catch fire, "Stop, Drop and Roll" by dropping immediately to the ground and rolling over and over or back and forth to put out the flames. Cool the burned area with cool water and seek medical attention for serious burns.
• Always turn pot handles inward to prevent small children from reaching and pulling down a hot pan.
• Keep hot items, such as hot beverages and trays that have just come out of the oven away from the edge of counters, so that children are not able to reach them. For extra care with toddlers and infants, use travel mugs with a tight lid for coffee, tea or other hot beverages.
• Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from microwaved food carefully to prevent steam burns.
• Keep children and pets away from the range when anyone is cooking and keep a close eye on them at all times.
• Post emergency numbers in visible areas.

For more information about the Home Safety Council or what you can do to make your home safer, go to www.homesafetycouncil.org.