From turkeys to Christmas cookies, holiday cooking is the best part of some family’s winter season. While it is all meant to be a fun family pastime, small mistakes can easily become overlooked, and accidents will happen. AFC Urgent Care West Hartford is here to provide you with proactive information to keep your loved ones safe this season. From cooking fires to kitchen knife accidents, we are here to keep you safe in case of emergencies. Read here the key differences between deciding to go to an emergency room or urgent care.

Accidental Burns

It can easily be overwhelming when cooking many things at once. When this happens, it becomes easier to accidentally burn yourself on hot steam or pans. Be sure to not lift things directly out of the microwave after it is over, and be careful when lifting lids over hot pans. Additionally, do not wear any baggy clothing, or with long sleeves while cooking. This can lead to burns from hot liquids or accidental fires on gas stoves.

Kitchen Fires

Kitchen fires can happen for many different reasons, but you should always test your smoke detectors before cooking large meals. Additionally, keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of an emergency. Never leave hot stovetops and cooking food unattended. Always check the food that is in the oven frequently, and set a timer. If something spills on the stove, try and clean it to the best of your ability. Do not burn yourself in the process, but cleaning up spills can avoid stovetop fires.

How to Treat Minor Burns

It is important to know how to treat minor burns before you are able to receive proper treatment. To start, you should immediately run the area over with cold water. Cooling the burn down can help alleviate the pain as it happens. Continue to keep cold water on it until the pain goes away. If available, apply petroleum jelly to the area and cover with a bandaid. Do not apply any other type of ointment, as this can cause an infection. If blisters form, do not pop them and let them heal on their own.

If the burn is affecting multiple layers of skin, or large areas of the body, seek medical attention. Additionally, if the skin appears leathery or is white, brown, or black, you should also seek medical attention. It is up to you to make the best judgment of your health, and to decide whether you should go to the emergency room.