Kitchen Safety Tips To Consider

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With exposure to heat, grease, electricity and water, the kitchen is the room in the house where accidents are most likely to occur. Follow these tips to prevent fires and mishaps in your kitchen.

A)Fire Safety

The kitchen fire is the most common household fire in the US, with the grease fire at the top of this list. Preparation is the key to avoiding and putting out a dangerous fire. Here are some tips to keep your family safe:

  • Fire Extinguishers:

Have a serviced fire extinguisher nearby. In the kitchen, an ABC fire extinguisher is recommended to combat different types of fires.

  • Smoke Detectors:

Install a smoke detector at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance. You want it close enough to detect smoke but far enough away that it isn’t set off every time you cook.

  • First Aid Kit:

It’s always a good idea to have a first aid kit on hand for minor scrapes and burns.

Caution:

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. If you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the oven or stove.

B)Child Safety

Curious tots and kitchens aren’t a good mix. To prevent accidents and injuries, we recommend the following:

  • Safety Latches:

Install safety latches on kitchen cabinets to prevent children from getting into food or cleaning supplies.

  • Stove Guards:

If you have little ones, a stove guard is strongly recommended. It’s a plastic sleeve that fits over the top or front of your stove so that knobs can’t be turned and hot pans can’t be flipped over.

  • Electrical Cords:

Dangling cords are dangerous, so contain them to prevent children or pets from pulling a cord and causing an appliance to fall.

  • Emergency Contacts:

It’s a good idea to post the phone number for your doctor’s office, the poison control hotline and emergency services so that family, friends and babysitters can easily find them.

C)Cleaning & Organizing

Keeping your kitchen clean and organized is the key to preventing accidents. We suggest doing the following:

Cleaning:

  • Wipe up spills as soon as they happen.
  • Grease can catch fire easily, so clean appliances and exhaust hoods regularly.
  • When handling food, wash hands with soap regularly to prevent contamination.

Organizing:

  • Store flammable items, such as dish towels or potholders, at least 3 feet from the stove.
  • Remember to put step stools and boxes away to prevent falls.
  • Use a knife block on your counter or in a drawer to prevent cuts.
  • For avid cooks, clean the stove every 3 months. If you rarely use it, clean it once or twice a year.

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