Kitchen Safety

Stay Focused on the Food

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen.

Stay in the kitchen you're frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food. Turn off the burner if you leave the kitchen - even for a short period of time.
If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly and stay in the home.
Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking, or carry around a wooden spoon as a reminder.

Put a Lid on It
You can take simple steps to keep a small kitchen fire from getting out of control.

Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it's cool.
Never discharge a portable fire extinguisher into a grease fire because it will spread the fire.
In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed until the oven is cool. After the fire, have the oven serviced before using it again.
If you have a microwave fire, turn the appliance off immediately and keep the oven door closed. Have the microwave oven serviced before using it again.

Plug Into Electrical Safety

Appliances and gadgets - in combination with cords, outlets, hot surfaces, and water- can lead to hazardous conditions in the kitchen.

Check electrical cords or any parts of the appliance for cracks, breaks, or damage. Have it serviced or replaced, if needed.
If an appliance feels too hot, smokes, or gives off a strange odor, unplug it immediately and have it serviced or replaced.
Unplug small appliances when not in use.
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) installed at kitchen counters reduce the risk of shock by shutting off electricity when it becomes a shock hazard. Test GFCIs monthly by pushing the test button.

Keep Cooking Areas Clear
Clear away clutter and give cooking appliances space to lessen the chance of kitchen fire.

Keep anything that can catch fire- oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, towels, curtains- away from the stovetop.
Loose clothing can hang down onto stove burners and catch fire. Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepare or carried.
Clean up food and grease from burners and the stovetop.

Prevent scalds and burns
Hot liquids and steam from the stove or oven can cause devastating injuries.

Turn pot handle away from the stove's edge.
Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges.
Keep your face away from the oven door when checking or removing food so that the heat or steam does not cause burns.
Open microwaved food slowly, away from your face. Let food cool before eating.
Keep appliance cords coiled and away from counter pages.