It’s never too late, too early or too often to talk about safety. We’ve often talked about how the kitchen really is often the hub of your home. It can also be one of the most dangerous, with gas lines, water lines, electricity, hard metals, etc. Here are just a few tips to keep in mind, as well as pass on to your children. It might even be good to laminate this list and put it on the fridge!
- Locate all appliances away from the sink or any other water source.
- Keep appliance cords away from hot surfaces, like the range or coffee maker, and away from wet surfaces.
Only plug counter top appliances into GFCI-protected outlets.- Do not use appliances that have been wet.
- Unplug all countertop appliances when not in use.
- Do not leave countertop appliances on when unattended.
- Clean the stove and oven regularly. Also be sure to clean the exhaust hood over the stove.
- Keep the cooking area surrounding the stove and oven free of combustibles like hand towels, pot holders, paper towels and recipe books.
- Do not leave something cooking on the stove top or in the oven when unattended.
- Give the refrigerator room to breathe. Make sure there is enough room behind the refrigerator to let the air circulate.
- Vacuum the refrigerator coils every two or three months to eliminate dirt and dust build up, which reduces efficiency and can become a potential hazard.
What other tips do you have? Let us know in the comments, or stop by our Twitter and Facebook pages!