Updated on March 12, 2023
Oven and Stove Top Safety Tips Every Cook Should Know
A kitchen fire may be prevented if you practice good kitchen safety. Fires may happen, and you need to be prepared for them in the event that they do.
Kitchen accidents and fires are the most prevalent in the house. It’s important to follow kitchen fire safety guidelines, particularly if you have children or pets. Here are some kitchen fire safety recommendations for keeping your cooktop and oven clear of conflagration.
Our Top Stovetop and Kitchen Oven Fire Safety Tips
If you’re going to fireproof your kitchen, proceed with extreme caution. For the sake of your family and property, you’re taking efforts to protect it. Your family will be better protected against a kitchen fire if you follow these safety guidelines.
Tip 1: Make Sure Your Anti-Tip Brackets Are Installed
Anti-tip devices are the metal brackets that come standard on every stove. The anti-tip bracket keeps your oven firmly in place on the floor, reducing the risk of it tipping forward and injuring someone.
The stove should be anchored to the floor or wall using an anti-tip mechanism. The stove is kept on the floor by gliding one of its rear legs into the tilt bracket.
A kid or pet might be injured if a stove top falls on top of them. The gadget may be fitted by an appliance repair company or repairman if you are unable to do so yourself.
Tip 2: Never Leave Something that is Cooking Unattended
One of the most common causes of home fires in the United States is leaving anything on the stove unattended. It’s a typical blunder for homeowners to commit themselves to. They may leave a pot of food on the stove while they take the dog for a walk, or they relax on the couch and take a sleep.
For a second, people believe they can turn their backs on the flames, but that’s all it takes. Never leave the kitchen if any of the following scenarios are occurring:
- Boiling
- Frying
- Toasting
- Grilling
Set a timer to remind you to return when the food is done baking or cooking if you leave it in the oven unattended. Potholders and packing may catch fire, so keep them away from the burner.
Tip 3: Clean Your Stovetop Regularly
Cleaning your stoves on a regular basis is the most ignored chore. However, fire safety must be taken care of. You may accidentally start a fire in your kitchen if food or oil splatters and accumulates near cooktop burners.
Take your stove apart and completely clean it with hot, soapy water in order to fully clean it. Another option is to use a sponge or a cleaner and a paper towel to clean the surface. Once you’ve used a hand wipe, it’s time to toss it away.
You should clean it as often as you use the stove, which should be at least once a day.
Tip 4: Do Not Line Your Oven with Aluminum Foil
Using aluminum foil to line the bottom of an oven to collect drippings may seem like a good idea to some people. This, on the other hand, may obstruct airflow or trap heat. Fires, carbon monoxide leaks, and appliance damage may result from this air block.
Also, it’s a bad idea to use tin foil on your racks to collect grease. This might cause the foil to bend and spill the grease if there is a buildup of grease. To prevent spills, an actual pan might be a better choice.
Tip 5: Have a Fire Extinguisher Handy
It is important to have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency. At the very least, you should have one in your kitchen, where most house fires start.
Fire extinguishers should, however, be kept near the oven or stove. Portable extinguishers may be a lifesaver when it comes to putting out a huge blaze in many situations.
Protecting your loved ones is of utmost importance. Many people’s lives may be saved simply by having a fire extinguisher on hand.
Tip 6: Teach Your Kids Kitchen Safety Rules
Make it clear to your children that they should not touch hot surfaces, such as the stove or oven. Instruct them to unplug their kitchen equipment while they are not in use. Identify and demonstrate to your children how to use the fire extinguisher.
Keeping small toddlers away from hot surfaces such as the cooktop or the oven is always a good idea. In addition to the risk of burns, children’s inherent curiosity may encourage them to attempt to remove hot appliances or pans from the stove.
