Burn Awareness Week Is February 6-12

In recognition of Burn Awareness Week, NYCHA’s Environmental Health & Safety Fire Safety Oversight Team wants to let you know that cooking safety awareness is one way to prevent fires, and that fires are not the only burn hazard (boiling water, frying, or grilling can also cause burns).

The theme of this year’s Burn Awareness Week is cooking safety – so please take a moment to review the following tips to help keep you, your family, and your neighbors safe.

WATCH WHAT YOU HEAT:

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires

Cooking Safety Tips

• The best time to cook is when you are wide awake and not drowsy from medications or alcohol.
• Always wipe clean the stove, oven, and exhaust fan to prevent grease buildup.
• Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking.
• Keep a pan lid and dry potholders or oven mitts near you EVERY time you cook.
• Turn pot or pan handles toward the back of the stove.
• When heating food in the microwave, use microwave-safe cookware that allows steam to escape.
• Allow food to rest before removing from the microwave.
• When frying, use a pan lid or splash guard to prevent grease splatter.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking and use a timer to remind you to check on your cooking.
• After cooking, check the kitchen to make sure all burners and other appliances are turned off.

If your food does catch on fire…

• Cover the pan with its lid. A cookie sheet works too. Leave covered until the pan is cool. NEVER move the pot or carry it outside – the pot is too hot to handle, and the contents may splash, causing a severe burn.
• Turn the heat off. With the lid on and the heat off, the fire should quickly put itself out.
• If the fire is inside the oven or microwave, keep the door shut and turn it off. Keep closed until the oven is cool.
• If the fire gets out of control: get out, stay out, and call 911. Don’t return inside for any reason.

The American Burn Association says…

• NEVER use water to put out a kitchen fire. Water will cause the oil to splatter and spread the fire or scald you as it vaporizes.

Did you know…

• 47% of all home fires are caused by cooking.
• Preventing a burn injury is always better than the pain and trauma of medical treatment afterward.

For additional resources on burn awareness, please go to…

• The American Burn Association at https://ameriburn.org/
• The National Fire Protection Association at http://www.nfpa.org/
• The NYC Fire Department at http://www.fdny.org/