Common Sense and Caution Can Prevent Tragedy in Your Kitchen

Every year, more than 100,000 fires start in home kitchens in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Assn.

Here are some prevention tips.

* Don’t leave cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen whenever something is cooking and turn off appliances promptly when you finish using them.

* Keep appliances clean. Built-up grease catches fire easily. Also clean ovens, burners and other appliances regularly.

* Wear close-fitting clothes when you cook. Loose sleeves can catch fire when they dangle near hot burners. For added safety, don’t store things over the stove where you must reach over hot burners to get them.

* Keep flammable objects clear of the stove. Keep potholders, dish towels and blowing curtains a safe distance from your stove.

* Don’t overload electrical outlets. Don’t plug too many appliances (such as electric frying pans, toasters or coffee makers) into the same outlet. Replace any electrical cord that is cracked or frayed immediately. Make sure your hands, and the floor you’re standing on, are dry when you use an electrical appliance. If the inside of an appliance gets wet have it serviced before using it again.

* Heat oil slowly and watch it carefully. It can catch fire easily and quickly on high heats.

* Turn pot handles in and away from the edge of the stove to avoid them being bumped or grabbed by a child.

* Watch out for microwave burns. Food heated in a microwave can get extremely hot. Use a potholder when removing dishes and test the temperature of food before eating it.

* Cool a burn with running water. Run water over the wound for 5 to 10 minutes. This will prevent continued burning and relieve some of the pain. Burns might be worse than they seem at first. If the burn is charred or blistered, see a doctor as soon as possible.

* Smother a grease fire. Never put water on a kitchen fire. If a pan containing food catches fire, slide a lid over the pan, then turn the burner off. If a fire starts in the oven, close the oven door and turn off the heat. If the flames do not go out immediately, call the fire department.