By Christie Veley / Herald Forum
Let’s talk about your kitchen, because that’s where you can make a huge impact on your family’s safety this holiday season.
Cooking is already a leading cause of home fires in our community. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, that risk goes up significantly. Just by reading to the end of this article, you are taking a major step toward protecting your family from a fire.
The biggest reason for fires in the kitchen is (drumroll please) not being in the kitchen while you are cooking.
Life is busy and there are myriad distractions; from phones to kids to TV shows. No matter what, stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food. Let’s say that again: Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food.
That doesn’t mean you need to stand guard in front of your oven as your turkey roasts to perfection. If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, just check it regularly and stay in your home while the food is cooking. Use a timer to remind yourself that you are whipping up a masterpiece.
It’s possible for even the most careful chefs to start a fire. Here’s what to do if you have a small cooking fire and decide to fight the fire:
• On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
If you have any doubt about your ability to fight the fire — whatsoever — get everyone out of the house immediately. When you leave, close the door behind you. Call 911 from outside of your home.
You can also reduce your risk for fires or burns by keeping things that can catch fire — such as oven mitts, wooden utensils and towels – away from your stovetop. We also recommend designating the area 3-feet around your stove as a “kid-free zone.”
Kitchen fires can happen to any of us. We hope that knowing how to prevent them will help your family enjoy the holidays in peace.
Christie Veley is the public education and information specialist for the Marysville Fire District.
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