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What are some safety hints and techniques I can use in my kitchen?

Although you've probably had years of cooking experience, we recommend you

follow a safety kitchen list that includes the following:

1. Always wash your hands before handling food;

1. Remove loose-fitting or bulky jewelry;

1. Make sure your hands are dry before handing electrical appliances or plugs;

1. Store knives in a knife holder or with protective covers over the blades;

1. Close cabinet doors and drawers immediately after use;

1. Position the handles of pots and pans so that they do not extend over the front or side edges of the stove or over another burner;

1. Don't lean on the stove or over the burners while you're cooking;

1. Always use flame retardant elbow-length oven mitts when removing hot pans from the stovetop or oven;

1. Have trivets and hot pads nearby when you cook;

1. Stand off to the side when you open the oven door, not directly in front of it;

1. Unplug electrical appliances when you're not using them;

1. Clean up spills and breakage immediately.

Also be aware of these fire prevention tips for the kitchen:

• Tie long hair back and make sure that your clothing is not flammable or loose-fitting;

• Always check the stovetop surface or oven interior before cooking;

• Remove flammable and combustible items from stovetops, countertops, and storage areas above the stove;

• Clean the stovetop thoroughly to remove grease;

• Select a fire extinguisher that you can use independently. Store it between the cooking area and the exit;

• Keep a container filled with baking soda near the cooking area for small grease or electrical fires;

• Place a pot or pan on the burner before turning on the heat;

• Never leave the stove unattended while cooking.