General Household Tips
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the home (kitchen, garage, upstairs)
- Maintain all smoke alarms and test them regularly, replace batteries promptly
- If you smoke: Discard butts after dousing them in water, do not leave lit cigarettes unattended, and do not smoke in bed
- Do not use appliances without a UL® symbol
- Keep FirstºDegree on hand in the kitchen, bathroom and garage
Kitchen
Potential Burn Hot Spots:
- Contact with hot surfaces, such as pans, pots, utensils, oven racks etc.
- Hot water scalds
- Grease or oil fires
- Spattering oil
Tips:
- Remain in or near the kitchen while cooking to ensure small fires are controlled
- Do not leave the house when you are baking or roasting
- Ensure that toaster ovens have been turned off after use
- Wear protective clothing while deep-frying
- Use oven mitts to handle hot objects
- Replace stovetop pans annually as accumulated grease can become a fire hazard
- If a grease fire occurs, smother the fire with the pan lid; do not use a fire extinguisher
- For an oven fire, close door and wait for it to cool
- Carefully remove lids away from the face and body from cooking pots to prevent steam burns, as steam is hotter than boiling water
- Keep flammable items like napkins and paper towels away from the cooking area.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
- Keep FirstºDegree in a drawer next to the stove and within easy reach for immediate use after a burn
Tips 4 Kids:
- Turn pot handles to the inside so your kids can’t reach or bump them
- Establish a no-kids-zone in front of your stove and oven, maybe by marking it with a rug
- Sample microwave food before giving it to your kids; transfer food to a cool plate
Family/Living Room
Potential Burn Hot Spots:
- Fireplace
- Electrical Outlets
- Extension Cords
- Space Heaters
- Halogen Lamps
Tips:
- Place safety screens around fireplaces, radiators and space heaters
- Do not overload electrical outlets, use power strips with surge protectors
- Never place extension cords under carpets or rugs
- Do not leave candles unattended
- If you use a real Christmas tree during the holidays, ensure that the lights are turned off before you go to sleep each night
- Do not hang clothing or towels on halogen lamps
Tips 4 Kids:
- Never leave a child unattended near a burning or hot fireplace
- Childproof all electrical outlets (plastic plugs prevent insertion of metal objects which can result in electrical burns)
Bedroom/Bathroom
Potential Burn Hot Spots:
- Hair Dryers
- Curling Irons
- Clothes Irons
- Hot Water Scalds
- Candles
- Halogen Lamps
- Do not use hair dryers near water, unplug and store carefully
- Use curling and straightening irons very carefully, unplug when not in use
- Do not leave a clothes iron unattended in the ‘On’ position
- Use cool-mist humidifier instead of steam vaporizer
- Use sturdy, wide candle holders, do not leave candles unattended
- Do not hang clothing or towels on halogen lamps
Tips 4 Kids:
- Adjust water temperature for children
- Keep clothes iron cords out of the way of children
- Unplug all devices when not in use
Outdoors/Grilling
Potential Burn Hot Spots:
- BBQ/Grill
- Firecrackers
- Lawn Equipment
- Power Tools
Tips:
- Never leave a grill unattended, clean grill safely
- Use oven mitts when handling hot objects
- Wear protective clothing while using power tools and lawn equipment
Tips 4 Kids:
- Keep children a safe distance away from grills
- Check the temperature of metal playground equipment before allowing children to use them
- Enjoy fireworks from a distance, be careful with sparklers
Garage
Potential Burn Hot Spots:
- Hot Engines
- Power Tools
- Soldering equipment
- Hot Exhaust Pipes
Tips:
- Before undertaking household repairs, turn off electrical power or unplug devices
- Allow engine to cool before working under the hood
- Wear gloves, safety goggles when working with power tools
Tips 4 Kids:
- Keep children away from open car hoods, stored chemicals, power tools
- Feel the car seat, especially straps and buckles, before placing a child in it