A busy kitchen can feel warm and welcoming, but some everyday habits can create avoidable safety risks. One example is hanging a tea towel over the oven door handle. Because ovens and stovetops become very hot during normal cooking, towels should be kept away from burners, flames, grease, and hot cookware.

Loose fabric can gradually heat up or become caught on clothing, cookware, or someone passing by. If a towel pulls on a hot pan, it could lead to a spill or dropped dish. A safer approach is to keep towels on a sturdy hook attached to a cabinet or another cool, convenient location. A clean folded towel on a safe counter or an apron with a pocket can also work well.

For an easy appetizer, slow-cooker meatballs are another simple option. Combine 32 ounces of frozen meatballs with 12 ounces each of grape jelly and chili sauce, then cook according to the package and slow-cooker instructions until the meatballs are thoroughly heated. For a different flavor, grape jelly can be replaced with cranberry sauce or apricot preserves.

Small changes can make a kitchen both safer and more organized. Keeping towels away from heat takes only a few extra seconds but can reduce the chance of an unnecessary accident. The next time you reach for a tea towel, choose a cool, designated spot instead of hanging it from the oven handle.