Fires can wreak havoc on your home, your community and your health. Cooking fires are a leading cause of home fires across the US. However, use these tips to help prevent fires and safely cook in your kitchen.
Cooking Surfaces
Before you turn on the stove or oven, double check the area to make sure there is nothing near the surfaces that can catch fire. Keeping the area clean can help you prevent a fire in the kitchen before it ever starts. Regularly clean stove tops and wipe up spills and messes as you cook. Wipe pots and pans of excess oil and grease before placing on a burner. Regular oven cleaning can prevent debris from catching fire while baking. Pot holders, paper towels, wooden spoons and kitchen towels should remain away from the burner. Just in case, keep fire extinguishers NY Metro Area nearby to immediately put out flames.
Pay Attention
Keep a close eye on your food as you cook. Don’t leave the kitchen while the stove is on. It is better to turn off the burners should you need to leave the kitchen even for a minute. Keep a timer around to not overcook or burn food. Cook at suggested temperatures rather than increasing the heat to cook faster.
Appliance Use
Kitchen appliances make cleaning and cooking easier on you, but these appliances can also cause fires. Keep an eye out for any product recalls and act as soon as you know of one. Regularly inspect the appliances to ensure the power cord is intact and in working order. Ensure all appliances are cool and unplugged prior to storing.
Right Mind
The best way to cook is when you are not tired or influenced by alcohol or drugs. Because these conditions affect your ability to focus, you can become inattentive and inadvertently cause an accident. Use the stove before you have that beer or glass of wine and after adequate sleep. These tips can keep you cooking safely in your kitchen.