Tis the season for making lots of treats, goodies, & holiday meals. Not surprisingly, the kitchen is one of the most likely places for mishaps & disasters. So, with a lot of time being spent in the kitchen, it’s good to know what to watch out for & to follow important safety measures.
FIRE
Cooking is the leading cause of house fires and injuries year-round.
Never leave the kitchen or hot appliances unattended while cooking.
Keep anything flammable away from the stove area. This might include paper towels, potholders, and towels.
When cooking, keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the stove.
Keep your oven well maintained and clean to avoid grease buildup.
Be sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are checked annually, and batteries changed twice a year.
Review where important shut-off valves for the home are located. Knowing where to find switches for water, electricity, gas, water heater, etc. are important in case of an emergency.
DISPOSAL
Garbage disposals work hard, and after years of use they can wear out and start to leak. Unless it’s a bigger issue, leaks from the garbage disposal often go easily unnoticed. These leaks often smell foul and can lead to mold growth. Unfortunately, leaks are never good, and they should be taken care of right away to avoid potential bigger problems.
The most noticeable signs of a leak will most likely be finding your cabinets or stored bottles under the sink wet. The sounds of dripping can also indicate there may be a problem. It’s easy to think those little drips aren’t that big of a deal, but over time those little drips can mean big trouble in terms of water damage. Proper maintenance and repair under sinks is important and often easy to fix.
DISHWASHER
Dishwashers and other appliances often work overtime with all the extra cooking, cleaning, and house visitors. Be sure any visitors know how to use your appliances and any special instructions or limitations there may be. Also, try to run appliances during off-peak times to lessen the stress on your pipes and plumbing systems during the colder weather.
Check under the dishwasher periodically for any signs of wetness. Also remember to properly maintain and clean appliances.
We want your holiday festivities to go on without a hitch. Practicing safe kitchen habits is an important step in preventing disasters.
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