Preventing Kitchen Fires at Your Holiday Dinner

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

The holidays are a great time of year but cooking in the kitchen can get dangerous fast. It’s important to exercise safety and caution at all times in the kitchen in order to prevent the common kitchen fire. The majority of house fires actually start in the kitchen. Make sure you and your family are taking these precautions this year.

Watch What You’re Cooking

Leaving hot pots and pans unattended is a recipe for disaster. Even if you are just leaving the kitchen for a second, make sure you’re turning the stove off

Keep Your Area Clear

Make sure your preparation and cooking areas stay clear of any stray towels, bags, boxes, and drapery. Keep children and animals out of the kitchen to minimize the risk of accidental bumps and shakes.

Avoid Loose Clothing

Make sure your shirt and sleeves are clinging to your body and not draping over the oven or stovetop. Clothing fabric can easily catch fire.

See Smoke? Turn it Off

If your stove or oven starts to smoke, turn it off and cover it. Remove pans from burners and keep the oven closed until the smoking ceases.

Always Have a Backup

Keep a pan lid or a cookie sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire; this can be used put out the fire. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled and no longer smoking.

If a fire does break out, make sure you have an evacuation plan in place so that you and your guests can get out safely. SERVPRO is on standby for any of your fire damage needs.