5 Tips for Preventing Burns and Scalds in the Kitchen

In honor of National Burn Awareness Week from February 5-11 and this year's theme of "Hot Liquids Burn Like Fire," we've put together this list of how to prevent burns and scald hazards in the kitchen.  

5 Tips for Preventing Burns and Scalds in the Kitchen 

Here is a look at five ways to prevent burns in the kitchen: 

1. Cook Smart 

Burns and scalds in the kitchen often occur when an individual tries to multitask or do too many things while preparing a meal. For instance, some smart cooking tips include: 

• Refraining from cooking while holding a child. 

• Avoid wearing loose clothing that could catch on pots and pans. 

• Place objects so they cannot easily be pulled down or off the counter. 

• Turn any stovetop pot handles away from the stove's edge. 

2. Keep Kids Away from the Stove While Cooking 

While cooking in the kitchen, it's best practice to establish a child and pet-free zone. At a minimum, this zone should consist of a 3-foot radius around the stove or other cooking appliances where food is being prepared. 

3. Turn Down the Hot Water Heater's Temperature 

In addition to cooking appliances, the temperature of the water coming out of the kitchen faucet may also be a hazard. A burn from scalding water is common among younger children and can often be more severe than a cooking burn. Burns can impact the entire family. They often occur when a child is left unattended in the kitchen or instructed to wash their hands before a meal or after returning home. 

One way to prevent a scalds burn is to adjust the water heater thermostat settings. Hot water heaters should not exceed a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. However, to avoid a scald hazard, it's best to set them at lower temperatures. In addition to safety benefits, doing so will also help conserve energy.

4. Handle Hot Food with Care 

When retrieving food from the oven or microwave, use oven mitts or potholders to protect your hands. Additionally, ensure these mitts or potholders are dry so that any moisture on them doesn't heat when removing food.  

Additionally, be aware of how you remove the plastic film from any microwaved ready meal. To avoid scalding, it should be removed in a direction that's away from you. The same goes for opening any microwave popcorn bags. 

5. Use Lid or Splash Guards While Frying Food 

Finally, grease splatter is a common source of injury when frying food on the stovetop. There are a few ways to avoid this: 

• Use a lid: Cover your frying pan to lock in any steam or grease. Just be sure to remove the lid using an oven mitt or potholder and not get too close to the frying pan. 

• Use a splash guard: Splash guards, or splatter screens, are placed above the pan. They allow air to pass through the pan while offering protection from oil, boiling water, and more. 

National Burn Awareness Week is an ideal time to double down on kitchen safety. Follow the tips above to ensure that your kitchen is more than just a place where family conversations are had, food is served, and safety is emphasized. For more information and support for burn survivors, subscribe to the Phoenix Society today.