According to the National Fire Protection Association, 41% of all house fires start in the kitchen. Not surprising with all the appliances giving off or creating heat. Home fires are nothing short of devastating. Repair can be a nightmare, and the scare of putting our families at risk is one no one wants to think about. With these 11 simple tips, you could be saving your home and family from disaster.
- Never leave cooking food unattended. I know that a lot of dishes take quite a while to bake in the oven and I’m not suggesting that you have to sit and stare at it. Watching a casserole bake might be worse than watching grass grow. Simply stay in the house and frequently check on the cooking meal. If food is cooking on the stove or even in the microwave, keeping yourself in the kitchen is in your best interest.
- Keep that apron tied tight. Loose clothing can be a real danger while cooking. Make sure you roll up your sleeves and keep your hair tied back to reduce fire hazard.
- Clean and service appliances regularly. Not only do you need to keep your oven clean, but also the smaller often looked over appliances like your toaster or microwave. Something so seemingly harmless as toaster crumbs could be your downfall.
- Unplug all appliances when not in use. BONUS this will also help reduce that electricity bill! This can be a little trickier with big items like electric stoves and dishwashers. Another reason to have appliances serviced regularly. Faulty wiring could quickly spark a fire. (Note: please do not unplug your fridge! Just imagine that mess.)
- Go easy on the grease. Now, I am in no position to tell you not to enjoy a delicious greasy meal. But, to avoid grease splatters make sure you are using a pot or pan big enough for your extra splash of oil and butter.
- Keep a smoke detector nearby. Keeping one in the kitchen isn’t always best but nearby is highly recommended. You will want to know before it is too late.
- Keep flammable items away from the stove. Make sure you aren’t forgetting a hot pad or a dish towel. And be sure your paper towel holder is placed at a good distance from any hot appliances.
- Wipe up spills right away. Grease spills are ones you should be extra concerned with. It is always best just to take care of it right away so it’s not forgotten.
- Keep kids at a safe distance. We love them but we all know they have a destructive gene. If they are too young to understand kitchen safety it is best to keep them at bay or at least heavily supervised.
- Do a nightly “inspection” of your kitchen. Simply, make sure your oven and other appliances are turned off, unplug small appliances and clean up any spills.
- Keep a fire extinguisher close. Because of frequent accidents, the kitchen is a perfect place to keep your fire extinguisher. As much as we want to keep ourselves fire free, it is always a good idea to be prepared for the worst.
At Sunrise Cleaning and Restoration we are here to help you and your family bounce back from unfortunate accidents and incidents. Leave all the worry and cleanup to us! Contact us with any questions and concerns that you may have! Because we know that disaster always strikes at the worst times, we are available to you 24/7 in emergent situations. Stay safe out there!
