Kitchen Safety

Most Olathe home fires happen in the kitchen. Things to remember to keep your family safe:

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking!
• Young children should stay out of the kitchen.
• Keep curtains, paper, etc. away from the stove and other heating appliances like toasters and coffeemakers. Keep them clean and free from grease and oil.
• Wear tight clothing or short sleeves-loose clothing can catch on fire.
• Use back burners first and keep pot handles turned toward the back of the stove so young children don't grab them and pull them down, spilling the hot contents on themselves.
• Slide a lid on grease fires-never use water, salt, or baking powder to fight a grease fire. Baking soda or a fire extinguisher will also work, but a lid usually works best.
• If a fire is bigger than a small trash can, get out and call 911 from a neighbor's home - don't try to fight the fire.
• Keep appliance cords high up on the counter away from curious hands.
• Unplug electrical appliances when you're not using them, and don't overload the electrical outlets.
• Be careful of food cooked in a microwave - it can burn. Foods like filled pastries, sauces in jars, frozen dinners, popcorn, etc. can cause steam burns.