Kitchen Safety Cooking Safety
"Get a Taste" for safety when cooking. To keep unintentional injuries out of your kitchen, taking these simple steps to prevent kitchen fires and burns: > Stay in the kitchen while cooking; if you must leave the kitchen briefly, turn down the heat on appliances and return to the kitchen quickly.
> Keep anything that can catch fire, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, curtains, etc., at least three feet away from the range top.
> Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash.
> Every kitchen should be protected by Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI’s). If you don't have them, hire an electrician to install these devices to protect electrical receptacles in the kitchen.
> Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing when cooking (such as long open sleeves) which can be ignited by hot burners. If clothes do catch fire, "Stop, Drop and Roll" by dropping immediately to the ground and rolling over and over or back and forth to put out the flames. Cool the burned area with cool water and seek medical attention for serious burns.
> Always turn pot handles inward to prevent small children from reaching and pulling down a hot pan.
> Keep hot items, such as hot beverages and trays that have just come out of the oven away from the edge of counters, so that children are not able to reach them.
> Hot liquid and food burns often occur when children pull hanging tablecloths or placemats. Use table cloths and decorations with care.
> Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from microwaved food carefully to prevent steam burns.
> For extra care with toddlers and infants, use travel mugs with a tight lid for coffee, tea or other hot beverages.
> Keep children and pets away from the range when anyone is cooking and keep a close eye on them at all times.
> For safer water temperatures to prevent scalds from hot tap water, keep your hot water heater set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
> Store knives and other sharp objects out of the reach of children and make sure children are a safe distance away when you are using knives to avoid injuries.
> Post emergency numbers in visible areas.
Spring Cleaning the Safe Way
Chores like re-organizing closets and tackling a thorough spring cleaning can put families at even greater risk for falls and poisoning – the two leading causes of home injury in America. Families are urged to keep safe practices at the top of their mind while cleaning up and cleaning out your home, garage and yard. > When cleaning out closets or re-organizing, always keep stairs, steps, landings and all floors clear.
> Carry loads you can see over, and keep one hand free to hold banisters and railings.
> Five gallon buckets are often used while cleaning and present a serious drowning danger to young children. Never leave a bucket or any standing water unattended and store buckets empty and upside-down.
> Follow safety recommendations when using harsh products, such as wearing gloves and masks. Do not mix products together because their contents could react with dangerous results.
> Never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent and never use or store gasoline in your home, even in tiny quantities. Because its vapors can readily ignite, it is too dangerous to use gasoline for any purpose other than as a motor fuel.
> When cleaning out cabinets, separate dangerous products and medications and lock them up, out of reach of young children.
> Remember to reduce clutter and safely tuck away telephone and electrical cords out of walkways. In homes with children, make sure toys and other items are always safely put away when not in use.
> If you need to climb, use a stepladder or ladder. When using a ladder, stand at or below the highest safe standing level. For a stepladder, the safe standing level is the second rung from the top, and for an extension ladder, it's the fourth rung from the top. Before using, make sure the rungs are dry. |
