Did you know that cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States? Follow some simple safety tips from Safe Kids USA to protect your family and your home. Top Kitchen Safety Tips Preventing cooking fires Never leave hot food or appliances unattended while cooking. Always be alert when you are cooking and not under the influence of medication or alcohol. Keep anything that can catch on fire at least 3 feet from the stove, toaster oven, or other heat source. Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean. Do not wear loose fitting clothes that can catch fire if you stand too close to a burner. If you are frying, grilling or broiling food stay in the kitchen.  If you are baking or simmering check food frequently. Preventing burns and scalds To prevent hot food or liquid spills, use the stove’s back burner and/or turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge. All appliance cords should be kept coiled and away from counter edges. Use oven mitts or potholders when moving hot food. Open containers that have been in the microwave slowly and away from the face. Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated. Keeping Kids Safe Create a 3 foot Kid Free Zone around the stove. Never hold a child while cooking, drinking, or carrying hot foods or liquids. Young children should be more than 3 feet from any place where there is hot food, drinks, pans, or trays. Hot items should be kept from the edge of counters and tables. Do not use a tablecloth or place mat if very young […]