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Cook With Fire Safety In Mind This Holiday Season | SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte
11/17/2023 (Permalink)
Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte on the case!
What is the one dish that every member of your family requests from you during the holiday season? Whether it is a famous cookie that you spent years perfecting or a turkey casserole that is always the first to run out during a family gathering, you are most definitely spending more time in the kitchen this season getting ready for your next holiday gathering.
Kitchen fires can happen at any time, but they are unfortunately more common during the fall and winter months. Taking preventive steps toward avoiding a kitchen fire while you are cooking this year can help you avoid costly and season-ruining damage.
The first thing you should do is prepare your space for cooking. Make the kitchen a kid- and pet-free zone and clean up a little before you get started.
Remove clutter from the countertops and pick up anything left strewn about on the floor. You should also remove flammable materials from near your stove, so anything like pot holders, oven mitts, holiday decor and wooden utensils should be put away or moved far away from your burners.
You should also dress for success in the kitchen! Holiday accessories or seasonal aprons may be fun, but they can be dangerous if they get too close to a flame. Keep your sleeves rolled up, and be mindful about how you are dressing in the kitchen.
Frying, baking, boiling and sauteing can all be dangerous in their own ways and can lead to serious fire situations in seconds. Leaving your kitchen even for a moment is enough time for a fire to catch and spread. Stay close by and monitor the food you are working so hard to make.
If you and your family partake in the tradition of deep-frying a turkey, be sure someone is remaining responsible and in control of the situation. Keep the fryer on a level and non-flammable surface and follow all of the rules and precautions while filling the fryer with oil.
Do your research and thaw your turkey completely in advance. Even a partially frozen section of your turkey can react with the oil and cause it to splatter and pop.
These steps can go a long way toward helping you avoid fire in the kitchen, but we all know that fire is unpredictable and can get out of control at any time. Having smoke alarms in your kitchen is crucial for alerting you to a developing situation right away. Check the batteries monthly and replace as needed.
You should also invest in a fire extinguisher that stays in your kitchen. Having a reliable way to snuff out a few flames quickly can help you minimize a situation as it appears. You should also keep a pot or extra lid nearby while cooking so you can quickly cover and smother a grease fire.
We wish you and yours a safe and relaxing holiday season without the risk of fire! However, we are always here for you if an accident occurs and your kitchen is left damaged. We will work hard to restore your affected space as quickly as possible so you can get back to your festivities ahead.
House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!