Do not let the holidays be ruined by a kitchen fire by following the advice of the National Fire Protection Association and esfi.org.
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking to keep a close eye on the food to prevent fires, especially when frying.
- When cooking a meal that takes a long time like roasting a turkey or baking a roast, check it frequently. Use a timer to remind yourself that there’s something cooking. Some people even put timers in different rooms so they can hear it over the music and party chatter.
- It’s easy to get distracted when there is a lot of activity around you. To help minimize the risk of injury, if you’re sleepy or have had an extra glass of eggnog, ask someone else to take over in the kitchen. Or save that glass of wine to have during dinner or after you’ve finished cleanup chores.
- Keep things that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers and towels away from the cooking area.
- Make sure kids stay at least three feet away from the stove and oven, hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Store toys, pocketbooks and bags in a safe place so you, your guests, and the kids don’t trip near the stove and oven, or on a sharp corner of the counter.
- Move matches and utility lighters out of reach of children to prevent accidental fires.
- Secure cords from electric knives, coffee maker, plate warmer, mixer and other equipment at the far end of counters so no one accidentally pulls them off the edge.
The holidays are a great time to let children help out in the kitchen as they love being a part of the process, from mixing cake batter to cutting shapes out of cookie dough. But every child is different, so carefully consider your child’s skill level before deciding what is safe. Not sure? NFPA’s “Kids in the Kitchen” guide is a great resource that outlines the kinds of food prep activities that are ideal for each age group.
Cooking for the holidays brings family and friends together, provides a wonderful way to showcase your creativity and is fun. So as you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember that by following a few simple safety tips, you can enjoy time with your loved ones and do everything possible to prevent fires
Find more safety tips at www.nfpa.org/winterholidaysafety.