Farmers Insurance - Jason Jones

Kitchen safety tips

We use the kitchen so often that we sometimes forget about the dangers it can present. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
Safety “musts”
Make sure you have the following safety “musts” in your kitchen:

• Fire extinguisher — An ABC Dry Chemical fire extinguisher is recommended for kitchens as it typically will not accelerate grease fires. In addition, it leaves a non-flammable substance on the extinguished material, reducing the likelihood of reignition.¹
• Smoke detector — There are two types of home smoke alarms available — the ion type and the photoelectric type. The ion type reacts faster to open flaming fires such as a grease cooking fire. The photoelectric type reacts faster to slow smoldering fires such as burning countertops and is less likely to react to a cooking fire. You may want to consider installing one of each type in your kitchen.²
• Oven mitts — Purchase name brand oven mitts, made by leading kitchen appliance manufacturers for highly-rated performance. Silicone oven mitts can be slippery. When using them, make sure you have a strong grip on your hot pan to prevent an accident.³

Safety tips
Remember these safety practices:⁴

• Don’t leave anything that’s cooking unattended
• Keep cooking area clean to prevent grease buildup
• Have nothing flammable near the stove
• Roll up your sleeves, tuck in your shirt, and pin back long hair
• Heat cooking oil slowly

Little chefs
Many kids love to cook with their parent(s). Help keep your young chef safe:⁴

• Enforce a “kid-free zone”
• Use the back burners, and turn pot handles toward the center of the range
• Teach children that hot things can burn
• Never pick up and hold a child while cooking

If a fire starts⁴

• Use your fire extinguisher as directed
• Never throw water on a grease fire — it can accelerate the flames
• Put a lid on it
• Keep the oven or microwave door shut
• Stop, drop, and roll

Many home fires start in the kitchen so keep these safety tips in mind as you prepare to feed your hungry family.

¹Source: http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com
²Source: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pyfff/smkalarm.html
³Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2189528_buy-oven-mitts.html
⁴Source: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/cooking.shtm