5 Kitchen Hazards To Avoid

7/10/2022 (Permalink)

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Five Ways to Avoid Kitchen Hazards

Even seasoned chefs sometimes make costly mistakes. Here are five helpful ways to avoid kitchen hazards, such as a drain clog or grease fire.

1. Keep Your Vents Clean

It's essential to keep the vent screens above your stove clean. Otherwise, grease can build up on the screen and inhibit ventilation, becoming a contributing factor in a kitchen fire. The grease buildup could even make a fire worse if the flames reach that high.

2. Don't Leave Pans Unattended

Most cooks know never to lean a pan unattended on the stove. The pan could be knocked over, the pan can burn through, grease can burn and splatter, or the food can be allowed to cook too long and burn, causing a fire. Each of these things are major fire hazards.

3. Don't Put Grease Down the Drain

When you're done cooking, it may be tempting to pour the hot grease down the drain, but built-up grease in the drain can lead to a drain clog and sink overflow when the grease cools to a solid form. Instead, pour the grease into a container, allow it to cool, and then place it in the trash. One of our favorite hacks is to take a heat resistant bowl, fold and place an absorbent cloth like a paper towel at the base of the bowl. Pour the warm grease into the bowl and let it cool. When it is cool, it will lift off in one easy piece. Wipe out the remaining grease—if there is any—and place that into the trash as well.

4. Wipe Out Greasy Pans Before Washing

Wipe off any remaining grease and food particles before washing your pans. This can help prevent buildup that may lead to a sink clog.

5. Call a Professional to Service Appliances

If you're having problems with your stove or drain, it may be time to call a professional. They will know how to fix the problem without causing a potential electrical fire. These can come from attempting to fix a broken stove or clogged dish disposal without the correct tools. If fire or flooding does occur, then a fire and water damage restoration service may help.

Conclusion

Follow these tips to help prevent problems like a drain clog or grease fire. Never leave your stove unattended when it's on, don't put grease down the drain, and call a professional if your kitchen appliances need maintenance. If a fire or flooding does happen in your kitchen, contact us; we may be able to help.