Burn accidents happen in an instant. You grab a dish from the microwave without using oven mitts or trip on a toy while carrying a hot drink. As kids, most of us learn the hard way that things such as stoves, radiators, and flickering flames can be painfully hot, yet for lack of time or distraction, we forget to protect ourselves when using these things as adults. Thankfully, it's always a good time to refresh one's burn awareness. Here are some safety tips for avoiding burns from the things you use in the kitchen.
Tips to Prevent Burns From the Stove
Whether you're cooking for one or a crowd, it's important to know how to prevent burns from happening while using the stove. These tips will help you stay safe while preparing food on an electric or gas stove:
Never leave anything cooking unattended — even if it's only for a few minutes!
Avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking. Loose clothing can catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas or electric burner.
Create a kid-free zone. Keep young children at least 3 feet away from any place where you prepare hot food or drink. Never hold a child while cooking.
Use the back burners whenever possible, and turn the pot handles back to reduce the risk of someone knocking the pot off the stove.
Tips to Prevent Burns From the Microwave
Even though microwaves are handy, they can cause burns if you're not careful. Here are some tips to help you avoid burns from the microwave:
Only use approved cookware when using a microwave oven. Never use containers that aren't approved for use with microwaves because they may cause injury or fire due to overheating during use.
Allow food to cool before you remove it from the microwave.
Open microwave containers slowly to avoid burns from hot steam.
Use caution when moving containers from the microwave to your table or counter.
How to Treat a Minor Burn
Burns, even minor ones, are painful. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to avoid getting burned in the first place. Take these tips to heart, be sure you know how to treat burns, and take care of yourself and those around you.
About the Author:
Eureka Fire Protection District is an EMS, Fire, and Rescue service provider located in Eureka, Missouri. Staffed with nearly one hundred volunteer and career Paramedics, EMTs, Firefighters, Junior Firefighters, and administrative teams, the department provides its local community with fire prevention, education, safety resources, and emergency relief. Eureka Fire Protection District maintains a reputation as a well-run, high-performing fire department by keeping up to date with the latest in life-saving training and technology.