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Flammable Materials & Use of Stoves
There are a number of ways that you can reduce the chances of a
fire occurring in your kitchen. One area is to remove flammable
materials that could come in contact with flames or other hot items.
The following list of suggestions and recommendations can provide you
with some good ideas in reducing the likelihood of kitchen fires:
- Store towels, curtains, and other combustible items away from
your stove area.
- Clean your stove and oven regularly to reduce the buildup of
grease.
- Ventilation and stove exhaust filters should be cleaned
regularly to reduce grease buildup and to enhance proper ventilation.
- Metal objects should not be placed in microwaves during use.
- Ovens should be cleaned regularly to remove excessive amounts of
grease buildup.
- If you have someone that is memory impaired be sure that you can
deactivate the front burners to prevent reaching. Due to reversed
sleep patterns of persons that are memory impaired you may want to
consider removing the burner knobs at night to prevent them from being
turned on. If your house is equipped with an electrical stove you can
easily throw the breaker switch at night to deactivate it. Be sure
that the breaker switch does not control other appliances in which you
do not want turned off.
Kitchen Utensils &Appliances
There are numerous kitchen utensils that pose the risk of injury to
you and your loved one. Be sure that kitchen appliances are securely
stored after being used. You should pay special attention to
appliances that have moving parts such as blenders, mixers, electric
knives, and garbage disposals.
Persons who are memory impaired may have slowed reflexes and may
exhibit poor judgment when using these appliances. Items such as
electric knives or the use of blenders or mixers may be unsafe for a
person who is memory impaired.
The following safety practice tips can provide additional
safeguards against kitchen accidents. You should take immediate steps
to address any non-compliant areas to reduce the possibility of you or
your loved one being injured in your kitchen:
- Appliances that are not being used should be unplugged and
securely stored.
- Appliances should never be used around sink areas as they pose a
high risk of electrocution should they come in contact with water.
Electrical outlets around and near kitchen sinks should be equipped
with Ground Fault Safety Interrupters. (Special electrical outlets
that automatically cut off when shorted.)
- Be sure that appliance cords are not left out in busy areas
where one can trip or fall over them. Loose cords on counter tops
should be removed when not in use to reduce the chances of being
pulled off.
- Toasters or other electrical appliances should be unplugged
first before removing jammed items. Never attempt to free up jammed
items while appliances are plugged in.
- Teapots or coffeepots should be closely monitored when caring
for someone who is memory impaired.
- Be sure to check the temperature of liquids or other food items
before giving them to someone who is memory impaired. Items that are
cooked in the microwave should ALWAYS be heat tested before giving
them to someone who is disabled or memory impaired.
- Kitchen knives or other sharp instruments should be securely
stored. Persons who are cognitively impaired may not be able to safely
use these appliances.
- Are you careful not to place metals or foil in the microwave?
- Plan Ahead. Before transporting hot dishes be sure that table
hot pads are already in place. Attempting to juggle hot dishes in one
hand while getting out hot plates to sit them on with the other hand
can be dangerous. Lid covers should be removed slowly as to prevent
the possibility of burning you from the hot steam that is trapped
inside.
- Caregivers should utilize some means of reminding them when
using stove burners or heating appliances such as the oven or
microwave. Many kitchen fires are caused when responding to the
telephone or doorbells as this may easily distract you. NEVER leave a
person that is disabled unattended in a kitchen area especially when
cooking.
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