As we head into a busy period of holiday hosting and cooking, there’s one item that always should be on the menu: safety. Crowded kitchens and celebrations can elevate kitchen risks. Follow this recipe to make sure this year’s holiday festivities contribute to happy memories and not a hazardous home.
Ingredients
Functioning smoke alarms
Working ground-fault circuit interrupters
Clean appliances
1 kitchen timer
1 healthy dose of vigilance
Directions
1. Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home. For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected so they all sound if one gets triggered.
2. Test the batteries in each smoke alarm every month, replace batteries at least once a year and replace each unit every 10 years.
3. GFCIs are electrical safety devices that trip electrical circuits when they detect ground faults, or leakage currents, that could shock or electrocute. Install GFCIs where electricity and water may come into contact, such as in the kitchen and bathrooms, and test GFCIs every month.
4. Prevent fires by making sure your oven and stovetop are clean and free of grease and dust. You also should clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly.
5. It’s easy to forget about something that’s cooking, especially when you’re entertaining guests. Use a kitchen timer to ensure your dish doesn’t become a fire hazard.
6. Closely supervise children in the kitchen, and keep younger children at least 3 feet away from cooking appliances. Don’t cook if you’re sleepy or under the influence of alcohol.
7. Enjoy! Being proactive about safety will give you peace of mind and allow you to enjoy this precious time with loved ones.
