Preparing the Kitchen for Thanksgiving
Before you even unpack the ingredients there are several things to do that will help you avoid any accidents in the kitchen.
- Wear closed-toe footwear: Keep your feet safe from any sharp objects, hot water, or oil spills.
- No loose clothing: Wearing fitted sleeves or tops without sleeves are best to avoid any open flames or hot liquid.
- Designate a child-free zone: Make sure children are kept away from the cooking area including at least three feet away from the stove and oven.
- Ensure no cords are hanging: This includes any appliance plugs or extension cords.
- Plug in appliances properly: If you are using crock pots, pressure cookers, or other additional appliances make sure they are plugged directly into an outlet. Never use extension cords to power this equipment.
If you follow these steps, you are on the right track to keeping your kitchen safe. Now, it’s time to get cooking!
Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner Safely
You’ve got everything prepped, now it’s time to get started on that recipe! Here are some additional tips to practice while preparing those Thanksgiving classics.
- Never leave cooking food unattended. According to the US Fire Administration, US fire departments responded to more than 183,000 home fires that involved cooking equipment in 2016, most of which were due to food left unattended.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. You should also use the back burners whenever possible.
- Keep flammable items away from stovetop. This includes oven mitts, towels, food packaging, and wooden utensils.
- Use a timer. It’s easy to lose track of time when you have multiple things going for a big meal. Use timers for anything on the stove or in the oven to avoid burning.
What Should I Do If An Accident Happens?
Sometimes things happen, so it’s best to know what to do if an accident does occur. Familiarize yourself with these tips so you’re prepared in the event of an accident.
- Keep a potholder, oven mitt, and lid handy. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner and do not remove the lid until it is completely cool.
- Never pour water on a grease fire or use a fire extinguisher on a pan fire. The extinguisher can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen and spread the fire.
- If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing and call the fire department. Make sure to have the oven serviced before you use it again.
- If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Call the fire department and make sure to have the appliance serviced before you use it again.
- If a smoke alarm sounds during normal cooking, open a door or fan the area. Do not disable the smoke alarm or take out the batteries.
Whether you’re testing out a new recipe or breaking out a tried and true family favorite, follow these safety tips to keep your holidays accident free and safe as can be!
About Ianniello Insurance Agency
Ianniello Insurance Agency is Northeast Ohio’s premier provider of auto insurance, life insurance, home insurance, agribusiness insurance, farm insurance, business insurance and health insurance. Ianniello Insurance Agency is an IRMI certified Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Specialist.
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