Did you know cooking is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries? Ranges or cooktops cause 62% of home fires according to the National Fire Protection Association. As you prepare to make your family’s favorite dishes this holiday season, please consider following this most important “Recipe for Kitchen Safety” from our friends at Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Ingredients for Safety

Functioning Smoke Alarms
Functioning Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Vigilance
Kitchen Timer
Clean Appliances

Directions

  • Functioning smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home. For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected, so that they all sound if one sounds. Test the batteries in each smoke alarm every month, replace them once a year, and replace the unit every 10 years.
  • GFCIs are electrical safety devices that trip electrical circuits when they detect ground faults, or leakage currents, that could shock or electrocute. Functioning GFCIs should be installed where electricity and water may come in contact, such as the kitchen. GFCIs should also be tested every month.
  • Never leave cooking unattended. Be vigilant! You should not cook if you are sleepy or under the influence of alcohol. Children should also be closely supervised and kept at least three feet away from all cooking appliances.
  • It’s easy to forget about something that’s cooking, especially when you’re entertaining guests. Use a kitchen timer to make sure your dish doesn’t become a fire hazard. Double check all oven burners and appliances are “OFF” when done.
  • Prevent fires by making sure your oven and stove top are clean and free of grease and dust. You should also clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly. Lastly, vacuum the refrigerator coils every three months to prevent potentially dangerous dirt build up.

For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Being proactive about safety during the holidays will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on time spent with loved ones. For more important safety tips to keep you and your family safe throughout the year, visit www.esfi.org.