(Image source from: Tempe tot burned by hot food)

Underscoring the importance of the age old saying "Prevention is better than cure", Tempe police has urged all to exercise extreme caution while cooking, especially if you have little children at home, after a ghastly cooking incident left a tot with severe burns yesterday.

An eight months old tot endured severe burns after her grandmother accidentally spilled hot cooking oil and food on her.

The accident took place in one of the Tempe residences near University and Hardy, while the child's grandmother was preparing a meal. The tiny tot crawled up to the low table and pulled on a cord, spilling hot oil and food all over her head, face and shoulder. The little girl was rushed to the Burn Unit at Maricopa Medical Center where she is being treated for extreme burns.

"She's so young, she’s 8 months old, it’s just a horrible story," Sgt. Mike Pooley, a Tempe police spokesman said. "Grandma was watching the kids. There were other adults there."

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury