Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. Stay nearby at all times when cooking, even with microwave ovens.
Keep children and pets away from cooking food. Enforce a "kid-free zone" of 1 meter around your stove when cooking
Turn pot handles inward. Never leave them sticking out where they could be bumped or grabbed by a small child.
Don't leave spoons or other utensils in pots while cooking.
Turn burners and ovens off when they're not in use.
Keep plenty of sturdy oven mitts or pot holders near your cooking area. Using a wet pot holder can result in a severe steam burn.
Do not toss wet foods into deep-fat fryers or frying pans containing hot grease or oil. The violent reaction between the fat and water will splatter hot oil.
Remove the lids from pots of cooking liquids carefully to prevent steam burns. Remember, steam is hotter than boiling water.
If a pan of food catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. It is dangerous to attempt to carry the pan to the sink.
In microwave ovens, use only containers designed for microwave use. Let microwave-cooked foods or liquids cool before carefully removing their covers.
If you turn microwave foods during their cooking cycle, remember that the oven may be cool but the containers and food are very hot.
Hot Water
Adjust your water-heater's thermostat to no more than 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) to prevent scalds.
Always turn on the cold water faucet first, then add hot water.
Child Safety
Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach -- up high, preferably in a locked cabinet. Use only child-resistant lighters.
Cover unused wall outlets with safety caps and replace all damaged, frayed, or brittle electrical cords.
Do not leave hot irons unattended.
Teach your children that steam radiators, stove burners, irons, and other familiar household objects are sometimes hot and can burn them.
Test bath water by carefully circulating hand and lower arm through it before putting children in the bathtub. Provide constant supervision while bathing children
