CLEVELAND — It is National Burn Awareness Week, a campaign of the American Burn Association, which says an estimated 486,000 individuals are treated for burns yearly. The 2022 theme is, “Burning Issues in the Kitchen.”
MetroHealth Medical Center in Cuyahoga County has the only burn care center in Ohio verified for the care of both adults and children by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. The health care system says it treats more than 1,700 burn injuries every year.
“MetroHealth actually has one of the highest volume burn outpatient clinics in the whole country, so we are able to manage a lot of the smaller but still very severe burns in our outpatient clinic,” says Andrew Neading, the burn program coordinator at MetroHealth.
Besides kitchen safety, space heaters can pose a significant threat if improperly used.
“Remember that space heaters cycle off once they get to that temperature in the room,” explained Lt. Michael Norman, of the Cleveland Division of Fire. “At a certain point they may turn off only to turn back on, so you want to make sure that you’re turning them off, or even better, unplugging them.”
Norman says there should be at least three feet of space between the space heater and other objects, and never plug it into a power strip; Instead, plug it directly into an outlet.
Here is a list of tips from the American Burn Association on how to stay safe in the kitchen:
• The best time to cook is when you are wide awake, and not drowsy from medications or alcohol
• Always wipe clean the stove, oven, 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
