Kitchen Safety

Home Safety Starts in the Kitchen

Have you ever wondered what you would do in case of a kitchen fire? No? Well believe or not, that is the common answer since most people don’t think of it until it happens to them when they least expect it. Kitchen flare ups and fires are the most common safety hazard in the kitchen behind cuts by knives. And fires in the kitchen are almost always preventable by following a few simple practices. The fact of the matter is, all persons living in the home should have a clear understanding of the importance of safety in the kitchen

Grease Fire Safety Test

What should you do if a grease fire starts on the stove in a pot or pan?

  1. Throw or spray water on it.
  2. Turn off the heat.
  3. Get a fire extinguisher.
  4. Lay a wet towel over the pan.

Correct Answer:
Answers 2,3 & 4 are good choices for a kitchen grease fire. However, it is paramount to understand that throwing or spraying water on a grease fire will actually make the fire spread (see image below).

kitchen-safety

Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

  • Keep children a safe distance from hot liquids.
  • Always use potholders.
  • Hot grease causes severe burns, avoid using deep fat fryers around children.
  • Clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly and wipe up spilled grease as soon as the surface of the stove is cool.
  • It’s wise to have a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Keep it 10 feet away from the stove on the exit side of the kitchen.
  • Never pour water on a grease fire; turn off the stove and cover the pan with a lid, or close the oven door.
  • Keep pot handles on the stove pointing to the back and always watch young children in the kitchen.
  • Don’t store items on the stovetop because they could catch fire.
  • Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition.
  • Follow instructions carefully when using microwave ovens.
  • Be sure your stove is not located under a window where curtains are hanging.
  • Wear short sleeves or fleece clothing while cooking.
  • If your clothing should catch fire, immediately stop, drop and roll to smother flames.
  • Scalds and burn injuries are on the increase. The highest risks are the very young and the elderly.
  • Never throw or spray water on any kitchen fire.
  • Make sure everyone living in the home is aware of these kitchen safety tips.

Kitchen Sharp Objects Safety Tips

Knives are the most common sharp kitchen objects:

  • Always pick up a knife by the handle not the blade.
  • Leave knives on their sides, not edge up.
  • Keep the handle dry; wipe it or it could be slippery.
  • Don’t try and catch a falling knife.
  • When cutting, always cut away from you, preferably onto a chopping board (of the right colour! See ‘Teaching Kids Food Hygiene’).
  • Don’t leave knives in a bowl of soapy water; anyone reaching in unaware could cut themselves.
  • Wash, dry and store carefully.

It’s not just knives that are sharp. The blades of blenders, food processors and waste disposal systems are all sharp and should be handled with care.

Always look for opportunities to teach safety to all home occupants whenever possible. Remember, kitchen safety should be proactive, not reactive.

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Mold Prevent Strategies

The subject of mold growth and how to prevent mold in the home are misunderstood. A mold situation in the home is usually handled from a reactive perspective. However, much time, money and hassle can be saved by approaching the potential of mold growth in your own home from a proactive perspective.

Yes, it will take some time to learn some of these important mold prevention tips, but it may save you from having to deal with an unpleasant situation in the future.

Here are some important questions and strategies to consider:

  1. Are there creeks, ponds or lakes nearby in your neighborhood?
    Neighborhoods which have bodies of water may have more outdoor mold spores than other neighborhoods. In addition, these bodies of water may be a source of a unique or toxigenic mold species. Why you ask? Because, mold spores in the outdoor environment may find their way into your home as you open your doors and windows. The immediate outdoor environment is where most indoor molds originate.
  2. Is your roof in good condition?
    Are there places on your roof such as flashing and piping penetrations where water may leak in during a rain storm? A roof leak is the number one reason for an indoor mold problem since it needs moisture to start growing. Keep in mind as you read through these strategies that most all homes have dead mold spores present which can start growing and spreading according to excess humidity.
  3. Is your plumbing in good working order?
    Plumbing problems are the second leading cause of indoor mold growth. It is always a good strategy to know how to turn off your water supply in an emergency. If you do not have an easy-to-access main shutoff valve, then have a water meter key and wrench handy so you or someone else in the home can quickly shut the water supply off when a leak is detected.
  4. Do you have your air conditioning system serviced yearly?
    The air conditioning coil box and adjacent plenums are the third leading cause of indoor mold growth. Have a HVAC contractor clean all organic matter from the interior surfaces of your air handler before every summer season. Have them check that the air conditioning coil condensate tube is draining properly. If your HVAC unit is in the attic, make sure there is an overflow pan directly under the unit in case of leakage.
  5. Are your windows and doors sealed correctly?
    Leakage around doors and windows is another common cause of water penetration into wall cavities. Cracks should be checked and re-caulked if necessary before every spring season.

The bottom line is . . . always be aware of any and all areas of your home which may be a cause of a future water intrusion. Controlling excess moisture whether visual or not visual is paramount to preventing mold in your home.

More mold prevention tips:
Mold Prevention Checklist
Mold Prevention Checklist – Part 2

To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right-hand corner of this page or click here to read more.