Safety first: Important tips to keep your kitchen safer for everyone

(BPT) – Do you consider your kitchen safe? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries, so it’s a good idea to take a good look at your kitchen and review the best practices for keeping everyone in your home protected from these common hazards.Here are important kitchen safety tips to keep in mind for any household, but especially for those with children, the elderly or other vulnerable adults.Use the kitchen safety features of your electric rangeThe NFPA advises that households with electric ranges have a higher risk of cooking fires, so it’s important to read and understand any safety features that your range may provide and to use them consistently.For example, since 2015, LG electric ranges have a proprietary feature on slide-in and freestanding electric ranges with front-mounted knobs called “Lock Out” or “Control Lock.” This allows users to disable the heating elements when the range is not in use, reducing the risk of accidental activation.Many electric ranges are also equipped with additional safety features, including a “Burner On” indicator light, an audible alert when a burner is activated, and a hot surface indicator light. These kinds of measures provide multiple layers of protection to promote safe range operation, according to LG, which encourages consumers to review the written instructions and watch this helpful how-to video to make the most of range safety features.Keep stovetops clean and clearFor any kind of range, it’s crucial to keep any potentially flammable items away from the stovetop, including potholders, kitchen towels, paper or plastic products, etc. You can also help prevent grease fires by ensuring that your oven and stovetop are clean and free of any grease, dirt and debris.Stay in the kitchen when cooking Cooking, when done properly, is a safe activity. However, unattended cooking remains the leading cause of kitchen fires in the U.S according to the NFPA, so it’s recommended to stay nearby and keep a close watch on your range while you’re cooking. Wear short or close-fitting sleeves. Turn pan handles inward to prevent spills and put them out of reach of children.Keep children and pets away from range knobsIt’s also important to help ensure that pets and children have as little access to range knobs as possible. Baby gates can help to keep very small children and some pets out of the kitchen, but close supervision is always the best safety measure.Ensure all knobs are in the “off” position after cooking When you’re done cooking, and especially before leaving the house or going to bed at night, doublecheck that all of the range knobs are turned off.Avoid placing objects on the range when not in useLimited counter space can be frustrating, but placing objects — especially those that could be flammable — on your range top when you’re not using it can be a safety hazard, especially if a knob accidentally gets turned on. Try to look for other storage solutions so you’re not tempted to use your cooktop as counter space.Use kitchen ventilation when cookingBefore things heat up in the kitchen, be sure to turn on your kitchen ventilation hood, fan, or even open a window to circulate the air in your kitchen. When things heat up, using proper ventilation will enhance your indoor air quality and the overall cooking experience by reducing odors, heat and other byproducts of the cooking process.According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, when safety tips, advisories or service upgrades are offered, consumers can trust that the manufacturer is presenting the most current information to help you stay safe and have a positive experience while using their product.Learn more about LG electric ranges and their safety features at LG.com/us/electric-ranges. LG is ranked the #1 Appliance Brand in the United States, according to the OpenBrand Quarterly Consumer Survey (Units & Dollars, Major Appliances, AHAM Core 6, Q2-Q4 2024).