Reply to At what age is it ok for kids to cook by themselves (with no adult home?)

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[quote=Anonymous][quote]I'd just make sure:

They were good about turning the oven off.
There is a kitchen fire extinguisher in easy reach.
There's a working smoke detector near the kitchen.
They are unafraid of calling 911.
They aren't inclined to fight about food or cooking.

And that they know generic cooking safety tips like keeping pot handles turned in, how to put out a grease fire, etc.[/quote]

Good list, but I would especially make a point about showing them how to put out a grease fire.  Make sure they know not to throw water on it, and not to throw a window open near it (or to throw a window open to get rid of smoke).  That big rush of incoming oxygen can cause a flare-up, or even start the fire where there was only smoke before.

You might even start a small flame in a skillet and show them that throwing a big lid on it puts it out, so that they know how to do that quickly and calmly, and don't freak out if they ever see a flame.

Also, I wouldn't let them fry things in oil until they're in high school.  Frying in oil is how accidental fires start (I remember a 6th grade friend burning up her kitchen that way, by opening the window when the oil was smoking).  It can also result in spattering/burns, etc.  If they just stick to boiling, steaming, sauteeing, griddling, and microwaving, they'll be OK.  
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