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.

Being aware of your surroundings is the best way to reduce the likelihood of being burned. In the event someone is burned, it is important to know the steps for proper treatment.

Be sure to keep hot foods, liquids, and appliances (such as a curling iron) away from tables or counter edges to avoid them being knocked over or pulled down.

When using a heating pad, do not use for durations longer than 15-20 minutes and avoid placing objects on top of the pad.

If someone is burned, treat it right away by applying cool water for 3-5 minutes, and then cover with a clean, dry cloth.

Remove all clothing, diapers, jewelry, and metal from the burned areas.

If a burn is severe or bigger than a fist, seek medical attention immediately.

Reproduced from NFPA's Fire Prevention Week web site, www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2009 NFPA