.png&w=256&q=75){kind=small}
Are Cooktops Allowed in Assisted Living Facilities?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
With over a decade of dedicated experience, Andrea Miller boasts an extensive background in healthcare writing and editing. Her expertise spans various facets of the healthcare industry, with a particular focus on nursing, senior care, Alzheimer’s disease, and public health. Andrea has also contributed her editorial talents to reputable publishers in the Philadelphia region, complementing her extensive freelance work.
Cooktops aren’t allowed in assisted living facilities mostly because of the fire hazard associated with these portable devices. Residents also risk burns when using gas or electric cooktops. Request a detailed list of prohibited items, and ask about alternatives to portable cooktops when moving to an assisted living community.
Should I bring a cooktop to assisted living?
You should bring a cooktop to assisted living if you want the convenience of a portable way to prepare hot beverages and meals and your chosen facility permits you to have this item. Every assisted living community has its own rules about allowed items, so review regulations carefully before moving into a new facility. The maintenance team often inspects electronic devices to make sure the wires are safe, then tags items cleared for use.
If you plan to cook in assisted living, it’s important to follow fire safety tips. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that cooking causes most residential fires. About 170,000 home cooking fires required emergency response services in 2021 alone.
What cooktop safety tipsshould I follow?
If you have a cooktop, you should be able to use it safely and independently. Consider setting an alarm as a reminder to turn off and unplug the cooktop when you’re finished to prevent this common cause of fires. Avoid cooking appliances made before 1984 in favor of newer models with temperature controls.
Using a metal pot on a cooktop creates an electric shock risk. Don’t cook foods that produce smoke or grease, such as bacon, on this type of appliance.