As Thanksgiving is just around the corner, it's time to start preparing for all the delicious dishes that will fill homes with scrumptious aromas and satisfied taste buds. However, amidst all the excitement and joy that this festive season brings, it's crucial to remember the importance of staying safe around the kitchen.
Unfortunately, this holiday comes with a higher risk of residential building fires. According to recent data, an average of 2,300 such fires were reported to fire departments each year from 2017 to 2019, resulting in 5 deaths, 25 injuries, and $26 million in property loss.
These numbers serve as a reminder to take extra precautions when cooking. In this post, we'll go over the safety tips you and your family can take to avoid any fire hazards during your Thanksgiving preparations.
7 Tips for Cooking on Thanksgiving
1. Organization & Preparation
Before you start cooking, make sure you've thoroughly read and understand the recipes you'll be using. If there are any questions or confusion, be sure to consult with a reputable source, such as a cookbook or online tutorial.
This will help you avoid any mistakes that could lead to burnt food, fires, or worse. Additionally, clear any clutter from your kitchen workspace, ensure proper ventilation, and have all safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers within easy reach.
2. Mindful Use of Heat Sources
Be extra cautious when using heat sources such as the stove, oven, or grill. Never leave any cooking equipment unattended, as accidents can happen in an instant. In addition, avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling accessories that could catch fire, and keep flammable materials such as towels and curtains away from hot surfaces.
3. Don’t Overload Electrical Outlets
It's important to be mindful of how many kitchen appliances you plug into the same electrical outlet or circuit. If you overload the circuit with too many heat-producing appliances like toasters, crockpots, etc., you run the risk of overheating or causing a fire.
Make sure to keep these types of appliances out from under cabinets and away from walls or curtains. Additionally, it's crucial to replace any frayed or cracked electrical cords immediately and never use an appliance cord with a damaged plug.
4. Cook with a Lid Close By
Another way to keep you and your loved ones safe is by always having a lid nearby when cooking on the stovetop. In the event of a fire, sliding the lid over the pan and turning off the burner can quickly extinguish the flames. However, it's crucial to resist the urge to remove the lid too soon, as the fire may reignite. Instead, let the pan cool for a significant amount of time before inspecting it.
Finally, never attempt to put out a grease fire with water, as this can make the situation much worse. If the flames don’t go out, be sure to call 911 immediately.
5. Minimize Distractions
In today's fast-paced world, it's tempting to multitask while preparing a meal. However, it's essential to avoid any distractions such as checking your phone or watching TV while you're cooking. Keep your focus on the task at hand to minimize the risk of accidents or mistakes.
6. Cook Together
Cooking a Thanksgiving feast is a team effort, so it's important to involve everyone in the process. Assign tasks to family members and friends and delegate duties such as slicing bread or stirring gravy to prevent overcrowding in the kitchen. This will help everyone stay engaged and focused while also cutting down on the risk of accidents and mishaps.
7. Check for Kitchen Appliance Recalls
Make it a habit to check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website regularly for any recalls that may impact you and your loved ones. Popular kitchen appliances have had recalls in the past years such as air fryers and crockpots.
For example, two million air fryers were recalled due to over 200 reports of the appliances catching fire, burning, melting, smoking, and overheating. Even more concerning is that some of these reports involved minor injuries and property damage.
Furthermore, in past years, nearly 1,000,000 crockpots were recalled due to reports of lids detaching. These product malfunctions resulted in 99 burn injuries that ranged in severity from first-degree burns to third-degree burns.
Reach Out to Our Personal Injury Lawyers
Thanksgiving is a time for celebration and while carefully monitoring your kitchen, you and your family can enjoy a safe holiday. However, accidents can sometimes happen, especially if a product in your kitchen fails to work as it should.
If you or a loved one are hurt as a result of a faulty product, it's important to take action. Our team of personal injury lawyers at May, Rammell & Wells can be here to help. We'll investigate the details of your case, determine what compensation you are entitled to, and work hard to pursue it.
Don't suffer in silence - contact us today to learn more. Dial (208) 623-8021 or fill out our form online to learn more about how we can help.