Zanesville Fire Department Urges Kitchen Safety

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- It’s Burn Awareness Week and the Zanesville Fire Department is providing the community with safe tips to avoid common contact burn injuries. 

According to Justin Murphy, Firefighter Medic at ZFD, about 400,000 people receive medical care for kitchen burn-related injuries per year.

Murphy shares those tips the community should follow while in the kitchen.

“Keep a three foot area for a kid free zone so they don’t get burnt, make sure your handles are turnt in so it’s not hanging over the counters so kids can’t come over and knock it down, assume all pots are hot, always use a lid when you’re cooking to prevent splash burns and if you do get burned, treat with cold water for three to five minutes, and then seek medical attention.” Murphy stated.

Murphy added that residents should keep their kitchen area clean and keep all dish towels away from the burners whether it’s electric or gas fed. 

Burn Awareness Week can also be a reminder for residents to keep a fire extinguisher close around the kitchen just in case a burn injury turns into a fire.

“Always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen whether it’s under the sink or hung up somewhere just in case of a fire. If you do have a grease fire make sure you don’t put water on it because you just make that fire bigger when it’s a grease fire,” Murphy said. “Just make sure you put the lid on it or just take it outside if that’s the case if it’s a grease fire.”

Residents should always keep their smoke detectors up-to-date and batteries changed as some like to take the batteries out to avoid them going off while cooking. 

National Burn Awareness Week is from February 6th to the 12th and more information on the week and additional safety tips, please visit the American Burn Association website.