Many fires, burns, and injuries occur in the kitchen. The following tips will help keep you and your family safe:

• Always use pot holders or oven mitts when putting food in or taking food out of the oven and handling hot items on the stove.
• Don't put any hot foods or liquids near the edge of the counter or table as they could spill, fall, or get knocked over and cause burns.
• Always make sure the stovetop is clean as residue grease can catch fire.
• If a fire should occur on the stove, carefully slide a pan lid over the flames (make sure you are wearing an oven mitt) and then turn off the heat.
• If a fire should occur in the oven, keep the oven door closed and turn off the heat to smother the fire.
• Never leave appliance cords dangling over the counter as children or pets could pull them and injure themselves.
• When microwaving water, let it sit a minute before removing the cup as water heated past the boiling point can erupt out of the cup.
• When using a microwave oven, make sure the containers and wrappings are microwave-safe.
• Never put metal (such as aluminum foil, staples, metal utensils, etc.) in a microwave.
• Remember that food heated in a microwave can be very hot and use care when removing it or opening lids or other packaging/covers after heating.
• Puncture plastic pouches and plastic wrap coverings before heating items in a microwave to reduce the risk of steam burns.

Find more cooking fire safety tips in Fire Corps’ Fire Prevention Week Resource Center for 2008.