Safety precautions for the use of stoves

Your stove is possibly one of the most useful appliances in your home, but it can also be the most dangerous if you’re not careful. It’s something most people don’t give much thought to, but your stove can be the scene of many accidents. It pays to be cautious whenever using your range to avoid injury and potential problems.

General safety precautions

Whether you have a gas, wood or electric stove, there are certain safety tips that should always be followed to keep your family safe.

o When cooking, rotate pots so the handles do not protrude over the edge of the stove where small children can grab them and drop boiling food on top of them.

o Always have a fire extinguisher handy near the stove, even if there is a sink nearby, grease fires will only spread if you pour water on them, so it is best to use a fire extinguisher.

o Only let children cook under adult supervision.

o Use oven mitts and pot holders when handling hot pots and pans to avoid burns from high temperature metals.

o Do not use metal spoons to stir food on the stove and then leave it in the pot. They heat up quickly and can burn your hand the next time you touch them.

o Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing or leaving kitchen towels near hot burners as they can catch fire.

gas stoves

For obvious reasons, gas stoves need extra safety precautions. You want to make sure there are no gas leaks, so anytime you hear a hiss or smell gas and can’t tell where it’s coming from, turn off the gas at the source, open all the windows, and get out of the house. Call the fire department to check. Here are some other things to keep in mind with gas stoves.

o If your stove does not have a pilot light, be sure to turn it on immediately after you turn on the gas. You can cause an explosion if you wait more than a second or two. Even minor gas explosions can seriously injure someone who is near the stove at the time.

o Check regularly for gas leaks and if you notice any part of the stove is rusting or old, be sure to replace it.

o Gas tends to heat up very quickly, so watch your pots carefully to make sure soups don’t end up boiling or a pan catches fire. If you put out a fire, use your fire extinguisher, do not throw water on the flames.

Electric stoves

Electric stoves are the staple of most kitchens. They are evenly heated with coils and electricity tends to be more stable than gas when it comes to safety. However, there are still some precautions specific to electric stoves.

o Clean under burners regularly to prevent fires. Additional pieces of food that fall under the burner on the tray can catch fire if the burner is hot enough.

o Since the pots sit directly on the burner, it is quite easy to accidentally touch the hot element. Be careful when touching the stove, even if it is off, as the element can store heat for a while afterwards.

o Be careful and wear protective gear when putting things in the oven. Electric ranges generally have elements on top of the oven and this can really be a hazard when you get too deep into the preheated oven.

Stoves are very useful and can be a great appliance, but they must be treated with care to avoid injury. Cook carefully and follow the safety precautions listed above to get the best and safest use of your range.