Kitchen Safety Tips for This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for turkey, family, fall walks, and hours spent preparing the most extravagant meals. However, with distractions such as phone calls, work, choosing the perfect wine, or even Sunday night football, fire safety can easily be overlooked.
Kitchen fires are responsible for 44 percent of all house fires, and Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires in the U.S. and Canada. To ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday, follow these kitchen safety tips.
Kitchen Safety Tips
Check smoke alarms: Test them by pressing the test button to ensure they are working.
Stay in the kitchen: Keep an eye on food when cooking on the stovetop.
Monitor your turkey: Stay in the home while it cooks and check on it frequently.
Turn off appliances: Always turn off the oven and burners when finished cooking.
Prevent burns: Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove and use rear burners when children are nearby.
Stay alert: Avoid cooking under the influence of alcohol or medications that cause drowsiness.
Keep combustibles away: Ensure oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, pot holders, and curtains are kept clear of hot surfaces.
What to Do If You Have a Kitchen Fire
Smother the fire: If safe, cover the flames with a lid or baking sheet and turn off the heat source (oven, stovetop, BBQ, etc.).
Use a fire extinguisher: If the flames persist, use a multi-purpose (A, B, or C) fire extinguisher.
Evacuate if necessary: If the fire continues, ensure everyone leaves the home immediately and call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
Small, contained fires: Only attempt to fight a small fire if all other occupants have exited and you have a clear escape route.
A safe kitchen is a happy kitchen. For advice on protecting your home against fire and other risks, or to review your home insurance policy, contact Miller Insurance Brokers today. Our team can help ensure you and your family are fully covered this Thanksgiving season.