Deal with kitchen emergencies like a pro

When you're in a zone full of hazards like the kitchen, where sharp items abound, there's a small chance of a serious accident. Here's how you can keep calm and avoid dreaded emergencies.

• If something happens, above all, keep a cool head and remain calm.
• Smother the flames of a grease fire with a dish towel or a pot lid, then remove the pan from the heat source. Don't use water or a foam fire extinguisher, as this has the potential to splatter the grease outside the contained pan, and spread the flames.
• Turn off the oven immediately in the event of an oven fire. Keep the oven door closed — the lack of oxygen will suffocate the fire.
• Treat bruises from a fall by applying a cold pack or a bag of ice wrapped in a towel. Never apply ice cubes directly to your skin. Reusable gel wraps are good, too, but for severe falls, go to the emergency room, or call for help if you cannot get to the emergency room unaided.
• Apply warm water or the cut surface of a cold, raw potato to soothe pain from a burn and prevent burn blisters from forming.
• For minor burns, apply a little honey. Research shows that this will help the wounds heal faster.
• Cover open burn injuries with a sterile, non-stick bandage and cool with an icepack. For severe burns, go to the ER right away.
• Stop bleeding and simultaneously clean a cut by holding the part of your body that is burned under cold, running water. Then cover it with an adhesive bandage to prevent infection. Note that fairly large cuts may require stitches.

• Keep household chemicals out of the reach of children. Since these often highly toxic substances are dangerous to adults as well, make sure that they are clearly labelled and don't store them near foods or in containers normally used for foods.
• Wipe up splattered grease and spills on the floor immediately to ensure that no one slips.

In the event of poisoning, call the emergency room or poison hotline immediately. Don't attempt treatment unless advised to do so by them. If you're not certain whether a poisoning has occurred, call anyway. Prompt action can save a poisoning victim's life, so don't wait to see if the symptoms improve or worsen. Make sure the number of the poison hotline is on your speed dial, and is also clearly visible and posted on your refrigerator door.