With the holidays just around the corner, many of us are preparing for friends and family gatherings. If you are hosting Thanksgiving this year, you are likely beginning to create your shopping list.
Anyone who has hosted a Holiday meal knows the considerable planning that comes with it. With all the home-cooked dishes, you and your oven will be working overtime. It is important to take the necessary precautions to avoid any disasters from occurring.
Statistics show that there are over 3 times as many kitchen fires from home cooking on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year.
Homeowners should plan appropriately and continue to keep a watchful eye during the holiday season. Below are helpful tips to avoid an oven fire in your home.
Get your oven serviced and cleaned
It is vital to ensure that your oven has undergone the necessary maintenance and proper cleaning before Thanksgiving. A professional’s help may be valuable if you haven’t had your oven serviced within the last 6 months. It is recommended for homeowners to schedule stove maintenance and repair twice a year, in which a technician ensures the system is operating properly. As a general rule of thumb, you should also thoroughly clean your oven every 3 months. This will avoid fallen food buildup, which has the potential to catch fire.
Do Not Leave Food Cooking at Home Unattended
During the busy holiday season, it may be tempting to run to the store for last-minute items. However, it should be noted that this comes with considerable risk. It is important to remember that accidents happen and it is best to stay nearby in case of an emergency.
Check Your Smoke Alarms
A fundamental step to holiday preparation is the check the status of your smoke detector. A test button is located on the device to be sure that it is working correctly. You should hold the button down until you hear a high-pitched siren while holding the button. Smoke alarms should be replaced if the detector is weak or does not sound. By taking this necessary step, you could save yourself and your home from a major emergency.
Cover Your Food
Oftentimes, holiday celebrations come with various side dishes. Covering these items is significant to avoid splattering in the oven. Fallen food, particularly grease, fosters the development of accidental fires.
Set a Timer
Although it may seem obvious to set a timer, it is commonly forgotten. With many other holiday responsibilities and greeting guests, it is easy to forget about food in the oven. Utilizing a timer can help avoid fires and burnt dishes.
Purchase a Thermometer
It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your food while you are cooking. Purchasing an instant-read thermometer can be extremely beneficial to determine when your food is done cooking.
Invest in a Fire Extinguisher
Most basic fire extinguishers are affordable. In an emergency, owning a fire extinguisher could save your home from extreme damage.
Use The Correct Pots
Using a pot that is too small makes it easy for the water to boil over. Ensuring that you are using appropriate sized pots can save you from harm to your kitchen and those present.
Use Your Oven for Its Intended Purpose Only
It can be easy to throw items inside your oven and use it as additional storage. However, this can be dangerous if someone turns on the heat without noticing the items inside. Furthermore, using your oven as a heat source can be risky. This has been known to cause fires as well as release toxic carbon monoxide into the air. All in all, an oven shouldn’t be used for anything other than its intended purpose to avoid accidental fires.
Need Help?
If you or someone you know has suffered from a house fire, OneRestore can help! In most cases, homes can be reconstructed successfully. The restoration project may require an extensive amount of work and the help of experienced professionals. OneRestore can provide you with a free estimate. We provide our clients with all their restoration needs- from beginning to end. Our company is a One-Stop-Shop so there is no need to hassle with several contractors.
OneRestore understands that this is a stressful time for our customers. We commit to providing our customers with exceptional communication. Our goal is to restore your home as soon as possible. Our experts ensure to remove the smoke odor from your home and remove unsalvageable items. Let us get your life back to normal with no upfront cost.
We offer 24/7 Emergency Contact and Services. Contact OneRestore today!
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