Kitchen Dangers Continued 

Watch what you put on the stove.  Never put anything on or near the stove that you do not want to heat, including pot holders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).   Never start to cook food, and then leave it unattended.  Wear short or tight fitting clothing when you cook.  Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.   Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.  

Always use cooking equipment that has been tested and approved by a recognized testing facility, such as Underwriters Laboratories. 

Provide proper cleaning and maintenance on all kitchen appliances.  After each use, but after the stovetop and oven has cooled, clean them thoroughly.  The buildup of dirt and grease can catch fire very easily.  The exhaust fan and duct should also be cleaned regularly. 

Watch children in the kitchen, as they can become very curious.  Enforce a “kid-free zone” of three feet around the stove. The hot food cooking can cause a fire or give severe burns.  Use the back burners whenever possible.  Keep all pot handles on the stove turned to the back, so that they cannot be hit or pulled.   

Keep pets from underfoot so you do not trip while cooking. Also, keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto burner.  

Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool. 

If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing.  

Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and become familiar with its use.  Read the instructions that come with the extinguisher.  Do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher unless you are sure that you know how to use it.  Never put water on a grease fire, as it will spread the flame.  Turn off the stove or oven and cover the pan with a lid or close the oven door.  By preventing air (oxygen) from reaching the source of the fire, the fire will extinguish itself.   

Never use a stove or oven for heating your home.

Microwave ovens

Microwave ovens were involved in an estimated average of 2,100 home structure fires per year during 1999-2002, resulting in 10 civilian deaths, 50 civilian injuries and an estimated $6 million per year in associated direct property damage.   Microwave ovens involve more emergency room injuries than any other cooking device.   Nearly half (48%) of the microwave oven injuries seen at emergency rooms in 2001 were scalds.  

Read the manufacturer’s instructions before using a microwave oven.   Plug the oven directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord because it may overload the circuit and cause a fire.   Heat food in containers only intended for microwave use.   Allow food to cool for a minute or more before removing from the oven using oven gloves.   Open food slowly, as hot steam escaping from the container can cause painful burns. Let food cool before eating.  Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot.  Containers may feel warm, but the contents may be very hot.  Never use aluminum foil or metal objects in a microwave oven. They can cause an arcing, fire or burn hazard and damage the oven. 

If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off immediately, unplug the microwave, and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out and call the fire department.  Make sure that you have the microwave oven serviced before you use it again.  

Fire safety is something that everyone needs to be aware of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  Do not wait until it is too late, practice fire safety every day!  If you have any questions or comments about this article, or any other fire safety subject, please feel free to call the Fire Company at 215-646-2555 or stop into either fire station any Monday night.  The Fire Prevention Committee is available to present programs upon request. Visit the Fort Washington Fire Company on the Internet at www.fortwashingtonfc.org.