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Its that time of year, we are all getting ready for Thanksgiving with prepping, cooking, decorating, and everything that falls short from running around like a chicken Turkey with its head cut off! While I emphasize how you should never leave your kitchen unattended, Orange County Fire Authority, Captain Steve Concialdi provided me with a more steaming realization with kitchen fires and the statistics.
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Last November alone there were 21 kitchen fires which required a response from the fire department; sending 3 engine companies, a truck company a paramedic unit, and a battalion chief. These cooking fires do significant damage. A lot of it is due to unattended cooking. I get it we all get busy and running into another room while your food is on low or your turkey is safe in the oven cooking for the long duration before the guest arrive. Whats wrong with a minute, I mean a minute doesn’t seem that bad. Only when that minute turns into five and the next thing you know your kitchen is ablaze. Its starts that fast and the results are devastating.
Should you experience a fire in the kitchen while cooking. It is important to remain calm. Turn off the burner try to smother the fire with a lid near by. It is highly recommended that you have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, Laundry room and garage. Smoke Alarms should be checked periodically throughout the seasons. One good recommendation is to check your smoke alarms and their batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings.
I would also suggest before starting off the holiday season, to clean your oven and your stove. Grease can build up and its not pretty. I use some generic brand and its wonderful. I just spray and watch the grease come off. I wouldn’t recommend cleaning your floors before cleaning your oven. Unless you like to do double the work, I learned the hard way.
Help with decluttering your kitchen, clean as you go. It is the best to clean up as you go. This is not only a plus for the cook as they won’t have a lot of cleaning up to do after. Should anything happen with a fire starting with a decluttered kitchen there are not a lot of things around that could help spread a fire. Not only that isn’t a nice decluttered kitchen, clean work surface and sparkling oven beautiful! Especially for all those Facebook pictures! LOL
Wishing you a happy and safe holiday season. Don’t be a turkey, and remember to stand by your pan!
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