1. Be Smart, Be Safe

308. Kitchen Safety

Kitchen fires are responsible for four out of five household fires. To prevent such a catastrophe, take these precautions.

1. •Pay attention to what you’re doing. When you’re at the stove, don’t try to do other chores or talk on the phone.
   

2. •If you have to leave the stove or kitchen for even a few minutes, turn the burner down or off.
   

3. •If you leave the house, check to see that the stove, toaster oven, coffeepot, and other kitchen appliances are turned off.
   

4. •Remove flammable items like potholders, paper towels, and dishcloths from the stove area.
   

5. •Don’t wear loose clothing or clothing with long, loose sleeves when you cook. (Or at least roll up your sleeves.)
   

6. •Turn pot handles to the center of the range. to avoid knocking them over accidentally.
   

7. •If you deep-fry food, don’t fill pans to the brim with oil.
   

Here’s what to do if you’re faced with a fire despite these precautions.

1. •Keep a pot cover handy to smother flames in the event a pot of food catches fire. Covering the pot cuts off the oxygen. If a pot cover isn’t handy, use a cookie sheet, acrylic cutting board, or other flat, nonflammable item larger than the burning pot. Once the fire is out, don’t remove the cover until the pot has cooled down completely. Exposing the source of the fire to oxygen could reignite it.
   

2. •Don’t try to douse a grease fire with water; the fire may spread.
   

3. •Don’t try to move or carry a pot of grease that’s in flames. You could easily burn yourself or spread the fire.
   

Most important, you should keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it. (See tip 307.)