Preparing for dinner, the holidays and... fire!

10/5/2018 (Permalink)

The cooking and baking season is just around the corner. In order to avoid a ruined holiday, follow the advice below!

October: Spooky treats

November: Grease and stove fires

December: Warm cookies and an even warmer house.

Families gather to celebrate the holidays by preparing a delicious feast, but if you don’t practice safe cooking habits, your holiday could become hazardous very quickly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries.

The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.

It’s important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.  Be on alert!

• If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stove top. 
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains—away from the stove top.
• If you have a cooking fire, consider the following safety protocols to help keep you and your family safe. 
• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. 
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave. 
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. 
• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out. 
• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stove top. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.