The holidays are a time of laughter and enjoying great food with your loved ones. If your family loves a good meal, you will be spending a lot more time in the kitchen preparing food this holiday season. Unfortunately, cooking fires are not as uncommon as you may think during the holidays. Here are a few tips to keep cooking fires at bay.
Turkeys are one of the most commonly cooked foods during the holidays, especially on Thanksgiving. It is important to periodically check your turkey and avoid any grease spills in the kitchen. If you are choosing to fry your turkey this year, it is recommended to do so outdoors. Make sure the fryer is a safe enough distance from your home as well as other flammable surfaces such as a wood deck, or railings.
Keep a close eye on what you are cooking. During this time of year, it is common to cook multiple dishes to accommodate a large group of people. If you intend on leaving the kitchen for an extended amount of time, it is important to turn your stove off or set a timer to avoid the burning of the food.
It is easy to become distracted around the holidays, especially with company going in and out of your home. Be sure to watch out for towels and dish cloths near your stove and burners. Although you may not realize it, these are an easy way for kitchen fires to start.
Smoke detector installation is another crucial part of keeping your home safe. Install a detector close to your food preparation area. Smoke detectors will help you catch the first sign of smoke in your home, preventing any further fire or smoke damage.
As you can see, there are many small, yet easy steps you can take to keep your home and loved ones safe in the kitchen this holiday season. If you do encounter a holiday cooking fire, the American Restoration crew will be there to help in your time of need!
