Your stove is arguably one of the most useful appliances in your home, but it can also be the most dangerous if you’re not careful. It’s something most people don’t think about much, but your stove can be the scene of many accidents. It pays to be careful whenever you use your range to avoid injury and potential problems.

General safety precautions

Whether you have a gas, wood or electric stove, there are certain safety tips that should always be followed to keep your family safe.

o When cooking, turn the pots so that the handles do not protrude from the edge of the stove where young children can grab them and toss the boiling food on top of themselves.

o Always have a fire extinguisher on hand near the stove, even if there is a sink nearby, grease fires will simply spread if you throw water on them, so it is best to use an extinguisher.

o Let children cook only under adult supervision.

o Use oven mitts and potholders when handling hot pots and pans to avoid high temperature metal burns.

o Do not use metal spoons to stir food on the stove and then leave it in the pot. They heat up quickly and can burn your hand the next time you touch them.

o Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing or leaving tea towels near hot burners as they can catch fire.

Gas stoves

For obvious reasons, gas stoves need additional safety precautions. You want to make sure there are no gas leaks, so anytime you hear a hiss or smell gas and can’t tell where it’s coming from, turn off the gas at the source, open all the windows, and get out of the house. Call the fire department to verify. Here are some other things to keep in mind with gas stoves.

o If your stove does not have a pilot light, be sure to turn it on immediately after turning on the gas. You can cause an explosion if you wait more than a second or two. Even minor gas explosions can seriously injure someone near the stove at the time.

o Check regularly for gas leaks and if you notice any part of the range rusting or looking old, be sure to replace it.

o Gas tends to heat up very quickly, so watch your pots carefully to make sure you don’t end up with soups boiling or setting a pot on fire. If you end up with a fire, use your extinguisher, do not throw water on the flames.

Electric stoves

Electric stoves are the staple of most kitchens. They heat evenly with coils and electricity tends to be more stable than gas when it comes to safety. However, there are still some specific precautions for electric stoves.

o Clean regularly under the burners to prevent fires. Extra pieces of food that fall under the burner on the pan can catch fire if the burner is hot enough.

o Since the pots are placed directly on the burner, it is quite easy to accidentally touch the hot element. Be careful when reaching over the stove, even if it is off, as the element can store heat for a time afterward.

o Be careful and wear protective gear when putting things in the oven. Electric stoves generally have elements on top of the oven and this can really be a hazard when reaching into the preheated oven.

Stoves They are very useful and can be a great gadget, but they must be treated with care to avoid injury. Cook carefully and follow the safety precautions listed above to get the best and safest use from your range.