Cooking fires remain the leading cause of all home fires in the United States, which is unfortunate because they are also the most preventable. Every year, over 3,500 Americans die in fires and more than 18,000 suffer from fire-related injuries. While some accidents are inevitable, many can be averted. The next time you cook, follow these simple instructions, they can save both your home and your family from fire:
Pay attention while cooking. You should always be 100% alert while operating the stove. If you feel sleepy or drowsy, you should not cook. Also, remember you should never leave the kitchen while the stove is on. When using the oven, be sure to set a timer and check on food items frequently. Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of fires in the kitchen. If you need to step away, have someone else look after your dish. If no one is around, simply turn the stove off and start it back up when you return.
Keep flammable items away from the stove! Though those oversized sleeves may be all the rage in Milan, they are not appropriate for the kitchen. The only items that should be near the stove are your pots and pans. Remember to keep spoons, towels, pot holders, packaging, and clothing a safe distance away from the cooktop.
Prepare your kitchen environment before cooking. This includes cleaning surfaces and cookware before using them. A clean cooking area is not only important for your health, but for your safety as well, because oily residues and left over food particles can easily become flammable or cause burning. Also, be sure not to have children or pets sit on the countertops near the stove. Activity on the counter can easily lead to items being knocked over and caused to ignite. Every year thousands of children are injured in the kitchen. Therefore, for everyone’s safety, we recommend that children are kept at least 3 feet away from cooking equipment.
Practicing good habits will help you and your family get into a routine of safe cooking. A great way to get started is by turning off appliances immediately after using them. On busy mornings, it’s easy to leave the coffee pot on or forget to unplug the toaster oven, so get into the habit of turning off cooking equipment as soon possible. Another good habit is turning pot handles inward, especially if you have children or pets. These simple steps can go a long way when it comes to preventing fires and keeping your family safe.
