13 Ways Your Stove Could Be a Silent Health Hazard

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The stove is the heart of our kitchens: The place for family dinners, holiday feasts and the comforting smell of baking cookies. There is a potential danger zone beneath its shiny surface and warm memories. That’s right, your trusty stove, the same one that cooked last night’s lasagna, could be quietly harming your health in ways you never thought of.

That’s not to scare you off from cooking at home, far from it. It’s about exposing the risks associated with everyday stove use that most people don’t know about. If you know about these hazards, you can make a few small, yet important changes in your household without changing your favorite recipes, and protect you and your family. Knowledge is power. Let’s break it down.

Gas Leaks and Carbon Monoxide

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If there is a leak, natural gas, which is used in gas stoves, is a very serious threat. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that’s extremely dangerous and can be released from an unnoticed, even small leak. The CDC says more than 400 Americans die from CO poisoning each year, and more than 100,000 are seen in the emergency department. By installing a CO detector near your kitchen, and regularly checking the connections on your stove, you can help keep your home safe.

Indoor Air Pollution

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Stove cooking—especially cooking with gas—emits nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter into the air. When these substances are inhaled, they can irritate your lungs and make respiratory problems, such as asthma, worse. Using a range hood can cut your exposure to these pollutants dramatically, making ventilation a very important piece in keeping your kitchen air clean.

Burn Injuries

Stoves get hot and it’s easy to forget how dangerous they can be when you get distracted. Painful burns can occur in an instant, when someone who doesn’t know waltzes too close. Placing stove guards, and teaching your children kitchen safety, can help avoid an unexpected trip to the ER.

Grease Fires

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Oil and a high flame can turn into an inferno in seconds. One of the leading causes of house fires is grease fires, and water won’t do anything to help; they can spread faster if you try to put them out with water. Having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and knowing how to smother flames with a metal lid or baking soda, can be lifesaving.

Lingering Food Particles

Remember that piece of food that fell between the burners last week? If still there, it’s not just unsightly—it’s a bacteria and pest magnet. Cleaning regularly isn’t just about how things look, but it’s about stopping the unseen horde of germs and vermin from overthrowing your kitchen.

Toxic Cookware Interactions

Not all pots and pans get along with high heat. For example, nonstick coatings, if overheated, release harmful chemicals. The fumes have been shown to make people sick, with flu like symptoms, and can kill pet birds. It’s safer to stick with cookware that can stand up to your stove’s highest temperatures.

Electrical Malfunctions

There are also risks with electric stoves. Shocks or even fires can occur when the cord has frayed or the burner is malfunctioning. Periodically checking the wiring on your stove and replacing damaged components can keep you from being shocked later.

Dirty Filters in Range Hoods

Your kitchen’s first line of defense against cooking fumes is your range hood, and that needs some TLC, too. If your filter is clogged, it can become ineffective, letting the pollutants stay in your home. Your hood will work better if you clean or replace filters every few months.

Improper Installation

If your stove wasn’t installed properly, it could be improperly leveled or vented, which can cause uneven cooking, gas leaks, or poor ventilation. If you have your stove installed or inspected by a professional, you’ll have peace of mind that everything is running smoothly.

Old or Faulty Burners

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Burners do wear out over time, and when they do they may become uneven or fail to light properly. Besides all that, this can be frustrating, waste energy, and expose you to harmful emissions. If the flame on your burner isn’t blue and steady, it’s time to replace it.

Unattended Cooking

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Don’t leave a stove unattended, you’ve heard it a thousand times. Yet, life happens. You can so easily get distracted by a phone call, a knock at the door, or kids needing attention. A safety reminder to stop small accidents from becoming bigger disasters is to consider using a timer.

Improper Storage Nearby

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Flammable items, such as paper towels, oven mitts or plastic containers, stored too close to the stove can make a recipe for disaster. Make sure to keep these items a safe distance away from accidental fires.

Overlooking Routine Maintenance

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Your stove is just like your car–it needs a tune up. Before they become serious health risks, problems such as gas leaks, faulty wiring, or worn out components can be caught by a professional inspection. Keeping your stove safe and reliable requires only a little maintenance.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.