Happy holidays from Rocky Mountain Catastrophe! If you’re anything like us, you’re super excited for a big Thanksgiving, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, and lots and lots of pie. We love a big holiday dinner!
Pumpkin pie – our favorite!
Indeed, cooking a big hearty meal with family and friends is one of our favorite parts of the holidays. However, cooking those big meals can put you and your family at risk – according to the Red Cross, cooking is the leading cause of house fires, and more fires start in the kitchen than in any other room of the house…yikes! Fortunately, though, catastrophes in the kitchen can be easily avoided. Here are a few tips to keep you and your family safe while cooking that big holiday feast.
Whenever you’re cooking something, never leave the food unattended. If you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the burner on the stove before you do. Use timers to remind you that your oven or stove is on. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove, so you don’t accidentally bump into them and knock them off. When you’re done cooking, check your stove, oven, and everything else in the kitchen to make sure everything is turned off and cool.
Keep an eye on what you’re cooking. Fires start when things get too hot, so if you see any smoke or boiling grease while cooking, turn the heat down. Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby, too – this can be used to smother the flames if the food you’re cooking gets too hot.
Keep your pan handles pointed away from you. If things get too hot, turn it down!
Pay attention to everything going on in the kitchen. Mind every little thing that might catch fire, such as an oven mitt, food package, or dish towel, and don’t let any of these things get too close to a burner or other heat source. Be sure to test your home’s smoke alarms to ensure they’re in working order, and keep a working fire extinguisher readily accessible in your kitchen as well.
If your holiday feast will have children attending, make sure the kiddos understand to stay out of the kitchen while cooking. Establish a “kid-free zone” around the stove, oven, or any other hot foods or liquids. Keep knives and other sharp utensils out of the reach of children, as well. For that matter, don’t let pets in the kitchen either.
Keep these common-sense measures in mind during your big holiday feast, or whenever you’re cooking. Of course, Rocky Mountain Catastrophe is always ready to help you, whenever you need it – even during the holidays! Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
To contact Rocky Mountain Catastrophe, call us at 970-722-7744 or email [email protected].
For more info on kitchen safety, check out redcross.org and fema.gov.
