The kitchen is often full of excitement which can lead to accidents like burns, scalds, and fires. Use these tips to help keep your family safe as you prepare meals and treats together.
Make sure to stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on the food you are cooking on the stovetop. If you leave the kitchen for any amount of time, turn off the stove.
Stay at home when you have food in the oven. Use a timer to let you know when your food should be finished cooking.
Be careful to keep anything that could catch on fire away from the stovetop. Don't set items like oven mitts, dish towels, food packaging, utensils, or holiday decorations on or near the stove. Remember, the burners can stay hot for some time, even after they are switched off.
Keep a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket near the stove and oven in the kitchen. Do not throw water on a fire that involves cooking oil or grease.
If a kitchen fire is too big for you to handle or the flames won't go out, leave your home and go outside. Close the doors behind you to keep the fire contained. Call 911 once you are outside.
To cook safely with oil, follow the steps below:
> Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need.
> Add food gently into the pan to prevent splashing.
> Make sure meat is completely thawed before being fried to help avoid a grease fire.
> Allow the grease to cool completely when you are finished cooking and dispose of it safely.
When cooking with oil, if you see smoke or it smells like it is burning, turn off the stove and carefully take the pot off of the heat. Cover it with a lid and leave it covered until the flames have gone out and the pot has cooled down completely.
Deep fryers should only be used outside on a flat, even surface. Keep them away from buildings, porches, decks, patios, and anything that could catch fire.
Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove, oven, and microwave to help avoid burns from the appliances, pots and pans, or spilled food. Steam or splashes from hot food can cause burns and scalds.
Do not let your child open the microwave or oven and take out food or liquids that have finished heating.
Always make sure pot handles are turned toward the middle of the stove and use the back burners whenever you can to help prevent scalds and burns.
Be careful to keep the cords of crockpots, coffee makers, plate warmers, mixers, and any other kitchen tools from dangling off the counter where a child or pet could get to them. Remember to unplug appliances when you are done using them.
Do you have questions about holiday cooking safety?
Call our FREE Safety Store Helpline at 317-274-6565. You can talk live with our staff Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM about your safety questions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
healthychildren.org: Kitchen Safety-10 Tips for Families with Young Children
healthychildren.org: Burn Treatment & Prevention Tips for Families
nfpa.org: Thanksgiving Safety Tips
nfpa.org: Fire Safety While Celebrating Hanukkah
nfpa.org: Winter Holiday Fire Safety Tips
redcross.org: Holiday Fire Safety Tips
