Prepare a safe and delicious holiday meal
Tips to protect yourself in the kitchen
If you’re hosting family and friends this holiday, remember to practice safety in the kitchen. Cooking around large groups of people can increase the risk of fire and burn injuries. Before you start cooking for your guests, follow these tips to stay safe.
- Never leave the kitchen while you’re cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Cooking fires also happen more frequently during the holiday season.
- Remind children about kitchen safety and never leave them unsupervised. Always keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove or any hot surface.
- Unplug small appliances after you finish using them.
- Don’t use extension cords with cooking appliances.
- Keep items that could catch fire far away from the stove and other heat sources. These items include potholders, oven mitts, food packaging, towels, utensils, and paper.
- If you’re moving hot pots and pans, use oven mitts or potholders to prevent burns. Use your stove’s back burners when possible to keep grease splashes and boiling liquids away from your body.
Find more important safety tips at pec.coop/safety.