Smoke Alarms

If a smoke alarm sounds during normal cooking move it father away from the kitchen or install an alarm with a pause button. If you have an alarm with a pause button, push it, open a door or window, and use a towel to fan the area around the alarm to get the air moving.

Never disable the smoke alarm by taking the batteries out! 

Scalds and Burns

                                                                                                                                                                                        Fire or flame is not the leading cause of burns from cooking. In 2009, ovens and ranges  were the cause of approx. 17,300 thermal burn injuries serious enough to be seen in U. S. hospital emergency rooms according to the NFPA. The leading cause of scald burns are microwave ovens. Use only microwave safe containers and be carefully when opening containers after cooking.

Turkey Fryer Safety Tips

Underwriters Laboratories Turkey Fryer Demonstration

Turkey Fire Explosion Damage

• Do not overfill because it may cause an oil spillover
• Use outdoors at a safe distance from building and combustible materials
• Never use on a wooden deck or in a garage
• To prevent tipping place on a flat surface
• Never leave unattended. If the unit does not have controls the oil will continue to heat and catch fire
• Keep children and pets away while cooking. Remember the inside oil can remain hot hours after use
• When touching the pot or lid handles use insulated potholders
• Protect eyes from oil splatter by wearing safety goggles
• Mixing oil and water may cause oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard. Be sure turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades
• Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby to use if fire is manageable. Immediately call 9-1-1 so the fire department can help if the fire increases

Protecting Children from Scalds and Burns

The NFPA reports that children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking than of being burned in a cooking fire. Prevent these injuries by following these basic tips:

• Teach children that hot things burn!
• When food is being prepared or carried keep children at least three feet away
• Hot foods and liquids should not be placed near table or counter edges
• Use the back burners of the stove when possible
• Do not hold a child while cooking, drinking, or carrying hot food or liquids

Cooking Fire Facts

• 46% of residential building fires in 2009 were caused by cooking
• The single leading factor contributing to cooking fires is unattended cooking
• More injuries happen when people fight the fire themselves
• The highest risk cooking method is frying
• Potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, or curtain are all combustibles that cause fires when too close to cooking heat sources
• Those who face the highest risk of death from cooking fires are young children and older adults.

If You Have a Cooking Fire

“When in doubt, just get out,” advises the U. S. Administration.

Kitchen Fire Video

• Close the door behind you as you leave to help contain the fire
• After you leave, call 9-1-1 or local emergency number
• Be sure others are all out and you have a clear path to an exit before you try to fight the fire
• When you are cooking keep a potholder nearby
• For a small grease fire turn off the heat and smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan
• For an oven fire keep the door closed and turn off the heat
• For a microwave fire turn it off but keep the door closed and unplug if the outlet is within reach
• Ovens and microwaves should be checked and serviced after a fire before being used again

Cooking for the Holidays

“There is an increased incidence of cooking fires on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, and Christmas Day,” reports the U.S. Fire Administration. To help prevent a cooking fire in your home here are some Safe Cooking Tips:

• Don’t leave the kitchen if you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a shot time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, don’t leave home, and set a timer to remind you to check the cooking food.
• Stay alert while cooking. You will not be alert if you feel sleepy, or are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, or are drinking alcohol.
• Keep all flammable articles away from the stove top where it could catch fire.
• Keep the stove top, burners, and oven clean.
• Avoid loose clothing especially dangling sleeves which could catch fire from contact with a gas flame or electric burner.
• Plug microwave oven and other cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, as it may overload the circuit and cause a fire.

If You Have a Cooking Fire: The U.S. Fire Administration advises,” When in doubt, just get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.”