KITCHEN ACCIDENT PREVENTION TIPS

Accidents in the home are common, as we all know. Many of these can happen when you are cooking. A few common sense measures can protect you and your family whether you are preparing an elaborate dinner or a quick snack. Follow these DO’s and DON’T’s to help keep your kitchen safe.

• DO stay in the kitchen when cooking on your range. Many cooking fires are the result of absentee cooks.
• DO turn pan handles away from the cooktop edge. A bumped handle can cause spills that can result in painful burns.
• DO supervise children when they work in the kitchen. DO stress safety when teaching children to cook.
• DO wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking. DO keep your apron securely tied.
• DO keep cooktop surfaces clean. Grease buildups can catch fire.
• DO keep flammable fabrics away from elements or burners. DO provide cool, well-ventilated storage for cleaning fluids and solvents. DON’T keep gasoline in the house.
• DO have a smoke detector in your home. DO check it monthly to make sure it is working; replace batteries when necessary.

How to put out cooking fires.  

• DO call your Fire Department immediately by dialing 911.
• DO cut off air to a grease fire by covering it with a pan lid or cookie sheet. DON’T remove the lid until the pan cools. DO turn off the burner.
• DON’T pick up a flaming pan. If dropped, flames can spread quickly.
• DO close the oven door and turn off the heat to put out a fire in the oven.
• DO have a fire extinguisher of the correct type and make sure you know how to use it.