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Staying Fire-Safe in the Kitchen This Holiday Season | SERVPRO of Hayward
11/17/2023 (Permalink)
Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Hayward on the case!
Can you believe it is already time to celebrate the holiday season? Whatever holidays you enjoy with your friends and family, there is bound to be some delicious homemade food somewhere in the mix.
Whether you are in charge of hosting your entire dinner party or have just been requested to bring your famous pecan pie, using safe cooking strategies in the kitchen is crucial for avoiding a house fire.
House fires are more common at this time of year, especially in the kitchen. Incorporating these preventive steps while you are making your food can significantly reduce your risk of starting a blaze that would most definitely derail your holiday plans.
Before you even turn on a burner or preheat your oven, get your space ready. Clear the counter of clutter and be mindful about the objects that you have near your stove. Flammable materials can easily catch on fire, and the resulting flame can be dangerous or even deadly.
Remove items like pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils and holiday decorations from around your stove and put them in a safe place. Even just a small spark or pop of a grease bubble can be enough to start a quickly growing fire.
You should also dress smartly before you start cooking. Cute holiday accessories or aprons can be a fun seasonal way to prepare your food, but any loose clothing or apron strings can catch fire and lead to catastrophe. Roll up your sleeves and get to work!
One of the leading causes of kitchen fires is negligence. Leaving your boiling pot or roast in the oven and then walking away can be really dangerous.
It doesn’t matter if you are frying, boiling, baking or grilling. Stay near your food. It only takes a few seconds for an emergency situation to get out of control, so it might be too late by the time you come back into the kitchen.
If your family partakes in the event of deep-frying a turkey, taking extra precautions are crucial for everyone’s safety. Choose a flat and nonflammable surface to set the fryer and do not overfill it with oil.
Read the weight of your turkey and set it out to thaw early enough before your party so that it is completely thawed before you submerge it.
While we know that fires aren’t 100% preventable, these steps can help reduce your risk all year. You should also be sure to have preventive measures in place to alert you to a developing situation as it is happening.
Smoke alarms can be your first line of defense, but only if they are working! Check the batteries monthly to ensure they don’t need to be replaced.
You should also invest in a fire extinguisher that stays in your kitchen. Since most house fires start there anyway, having it in an easily accessible location can help you control any situation quickly.
We hope you have a holly jolly season with your friends and family, and remember that we are here for you if your home does suffer from fire damage. Call us right away so we can get to work on your restoration so the rest of your holiday season goes off without a hitch.
House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!