Le Bonheur Children’s and Safe Kids Mid-South want you and your family to stay safe this Thanksgiving. Be sure to follow these safety tips from Safe Kids tomorrow while cooking in the kitchen.

• Never leave hot food or appliances unattended while cooking.
• Always be alert when you are cooking and not under the influence of medication or alcohol.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire at least 3 feet from the stove, toaster oven, or other heat source.
• Keep the stovetop, burners and oven clean.
• Do not wear loose fitting clothes that can catch fire if you stand too close to a burner.
• If you are frying, grilling or broiling food stay in the kitchen.  If you are baking or simmering, check food frequently.

Preventing burns and scalds

• To prevent hot food or liquid spills, use the stove’s back burner and/or turn pot handles away from the stove's edge.
• All appliance cords should be kept coiled and away from counter edges.
• Use oven mitts or potholders when moving hot food.
• Open containers that have been in the microwave slowly and away from the face.
• Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.

Keeping kids safe

• Create a 3-foot “Kid Free Zone” around the stove.
• Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.
• Young children should be more than 3 feet from any place where there is hot food, drinks, pans, or trays.
• Hot items should be kept from the edge of counters and tables.
• Do not use a tablecloth or placemat if very young children are in the home.
• When children are old enough, teach them to cook safely, and always with help from an adult.