BWA Fact Sheet for Seniors on Safety When Boiling Water

With a Boil Water Advisory in effect, you will probably be using your stove and electric kettle more. To prevent fires and injuries, keep these tips in mind.

Remember that your stove is on.

Stay in the room while your stove is on. If you have to leave the room, turn the stove off or bring something with you (like an oven mitt) to remind you it is on.

Be aware of flammable objects near the stove

Remember that curtains, potholders, dishtowels and food packaging catch fire easily.

Avoid loose clothing when using the stove

Wear clothes that won't touch stovetop burners. Loose clothing can be a fire hazard.

Choose the right stove burners to use

Use the front burners unless you are keeping pots away from young children.

Turn pot handles toward the center of the stove

Turn handles inward to prevent pots from being knocked off the stove or pulled down by small children.

Handle heavy pots carefully

• Slide, rather than lift, heavy pots from the stove onto a heat proof surface.
  
• Reduce the risk of scalds by waiting for water to cool before moving pots.
  
• Use several smaller pots instead of one large one for boiling water.
  
• Transfer the boiled water into smaller, clean containers to make lifting easier.

Check your electric kettle

• Make sure the cord on your electric kettle is not bare or frayed.
  
• Use special heater cords (called HPN) designed for the purpose to replace worn cords.
  
• Choose a kettle with an automatic shut-off feature, which turns off after a few minutes.
  
• Have an appliance checked immediately by a qualified electrician if you receive an electric shock from it.

Adapted from Older & Wiser Safely (Older & Wiser Comm. of Smiths Falls & Lanark Co).