Living Well 60+ November – December 2014 | Page 22

22 NOV/DEC 2014 Being conscientious about your surroundings can make a difference. “Whether it is an electric or a gas stove, it is a heat source, so you should make sure there is nothing around that heat source that could burn, whether it is a towel, potholder or newspaper,” said Berard-Reed. Educate family members about kitchen safety because the issue affects everyone. “It is about developing healthy habits early on that will carry you into your older years so you can live at home as independently and safely as possible,” said Berard-Reed. “If people slow down and remember to get into the safe habits, follow through and try not to rush, cooking can still be a safe activity for folks even if they are older. Kitchen Safety Requires Attentiveness Keeping the home fires burning safely by Jamie Lober, Staff Writer When it comes to maintaining a safe home, the kitchen can be one of the biggest areas of concern. It doesn’t take a lot of time to brew up trouble in the kitchen. “Kitchen fires are the leading cause of home fires, and older adults have a disproportionate amount of [these] fires,” said Karen Berard-Reed, senior project manager in public education for high-risk outreach at the National Fire Protection Association. Berard-Reed said unattended cooking is the No. 1 cause of kitchen fires. Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking, especially if you are frying. If you have to leave the room, take some precautions. “We suggest you use a timer or bring a wooden spoon or cooking net with you [when you leave] to remind you that you have something on the stove,” said Berard- Reed. “A physical reminder in your hand is a really good idea to stay conscious to the idea that your stove is on and you have something cooking.” Be alert when you’re cooking. “Older adults may cook while drowsy or when they’re on medication that makes them sleepy or even while drinking alcohol,” said Berard-Reed. “All of those things can interfere with safe cooking.” Make sure you can handle your cookware. “If your pans are heavy and you have lost some of your strength, [lifting them] could be a challenge,” said Berard-Reed. Also, be conscious of what you are wearing in the kitchen. “You would be surprised how many people start up the stove and the sash of their bathrobe is hanging down with droopy sleeves,” said Berard-Reed. It’s better to wear short, rolled-up or tight-fitting sleeves. Preparedness is the key. “Always have a lid nearby so if a fire were to occur, you could put the lid over it to extinguish the flame,” said Berard-Reed. “If it is a larger fire that gets out of control, quickly leave your home and call 911 from outside the home, whether from a neighbor’s house or a cell phone. We do not suggest folks try to fight the fires themselves because even fire extinguishers take some training to be used correctly.” If you have a fire extinguisher, take the time to learn how it works. In addition, smoke alarms are a necessity. “Working smoke alarms save lives,” said Berard-Reed. Test yours every month and make sure the batteries are still active. Unattended cooking is the No. 1 cause of kitchen fires.