Kitchen Safety

Stay Safe in the Kitchen

Do Not Leave Cooking Unattended

Stay in the kitchen whenever anything is cooking, and never leave food cooking on your stove or in your oven when you leave home. Turn off stoves and appliances promptly when you are finished using them and unplug electrical appliances when they are not in use.

Keep Appliances Clean

Built-up grease catches fire easily. Wipe appliance surfaces after spills and clean stove surfaces and ovens regularly.

Be Alert

Studies show that 43 percent of the people who have died in cooking fires were asleep. Do not attempt to cook if you have been drinking alcohol or are drowsy.

Wear close-fitting sleeves

Loose sleeves can dangle too close to hot stove burners and catch fire. Protect yourself by wearing sleeves that fit snugly or rolling-up your sleeves securely when you cook. Do not store things on or above your stove. Clothing can catch fire easily when you lean over burners to reach shelves.

Keep Flammable Objects Clear of the Stove

Potholders, dishtowels, and curtains catch fire easily. Keep such items a safe distance from your stove.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Plugging too many kitchen appliances – especially heat-producing appliances such as toasters, coffeepots, waffle irons, or electric frying pans – into the same electrical outlet or circuit could overload your circuit, overheat, or cause a fire. Keep heat-producing appliances out from under cabinets and away from walls or curtains. Replace any frayed or cracked electrical cord immediately. Never use an appliance cord with a cracked, loose, or damaged plug. Keep your home’s fuses or circuit breakers in good working order. If an electrical appliance gets wet inside, have it serviced before using it again.

Microwave Safety

Microwave ovens stay cool, but what is cooked in them can be very hot. Use potholders when removing food from microwave ovens. Remove lids from packaged microwave foods carefully to prevent steam burns, and test food temperature before eating. If anything catches fire inside your microwave, keep the door closed and turn off or unplug your microwave. Opening the door will only feed oxygen to the fire. Do not use the oven again until it is serviced.

Turn Pot Handles In

A pot handle sticking out over the edge of your stove can be bumped in passing or grabbed by a child. Prevent burns and stovetop fires by always turning pot handles in toward the back of the stove.

Heat Oil Slowly

Heat oils slowly over moderate heat and never leave hot oil unattended.

Smother a Grease Fire

Never pour water on a cooking fire. If a pan of food catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off your stove burner. If a fire starts in your oven, close the oven door, and turn off the heat source. If the flames do not go out immediately, call the fire department at 911.