Blog Layout
The Kitchen Can Be a Dangerous Place On Thanksgiving Day
thinksem-dev • November 26, 2013
“Over the river and through the woods, to the hospital we go…” We’d all like to avoid leaving grandma’s house to head to the emergency room, or worse, seeing grandma’s house destroyed by fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are more home fires involving cooking equipment on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year. Since we all have more people, more activity and more cooking taking place on Thanksgiving, it is not surprising that the risk for fire increases.
The NFPA offers a variety of safety tips for the kitchen that can help you avoid a fire or accidents in your home on Thanksgiving:
- Never leave your stovetop unattended while you are cooking.
- Stay home while the turkey is cooking in the oven. Check it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove and other cooking equipment.
- Keep kids away from hot foods and liquids that could cause steam or splash burns.
- Keep knives and other sharp cooking utensils out of the reach of children.
- Cords from small appliances should never be left dangling off a countertop or within reach of a child.
- Matches and utility lighters should be kept up high, out of the reach of children. ‘
- Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
- Keep flammable items including potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains away from the stovetop and oven or any other kitchen appliance that generates heat.
- Turn the handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.
- Install a smoke alarm in your kitchen and check it regularly to make sure it is in good working condition.
- Before going to bed on Thanksgiving night, check the house for burning candles or smoking materials, and make sure that all appliances and cooking implements are turned off or cooled down.
The NFPA also strongly discourages the use of outdoor turkey fryers. While increasingly popular, these fryers can cause problems from minor burns to spills and major disasters. The NFPA warns:
- Fryers can easily tip and spill hot cooking oil.
- Excessive oil or a partially frozen turkey will cause the fryer to overflow when the turkey is inserted.
- A small amount of cooking oil coming into contact with the burner can cause a large fire.
- Most fryers don’t have thermostat controls. The oil can continue to heat to the point of combustion.
- The sides of the pot, lid and handles can get extremely hot and create a burn hazard.
Above all, use your discretion and exercise caution whenever you are doing a large amount of cooking and entertaining guests. Even a small accident could ruin your holiday, or worse.
There are many ways to make sure you are providing a safe work environment for your employees, and the techniques you use likely depend upon the type of business you are in. But there are some basic tips that every business owner can use to help create a safe workplace and avoid costly workers’ compensation […]
Recent changes to health insurance laws and regulations have promised to make it easier on those who need to find their own, private plans. While many wait for those promises to come true, the process can still be extremely frustrating. There are some important factors to consider while choosing a private health insurance plan in […]
Hosting family or friends for Thanksgiving can be stressful. It’s important to take your time in preparing your home and delicious holiday traditions so you are sure to follow proper safety guidelines and reduce the risk of injury or illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, clostridium perfringens is the second most […]
No two businesses are exactly alike. Contractors include a wide variety of businesses across a wide spectrum of industries. That’s why a one-size-fits-all insurance policy may not be best for your company. Contractors can include construction firms, carpenters, plumbers, cleaners, electricians, landscapers, painters, handymen, snow plowing operations, land surveyors, computer consultants and many more. A […]
Many individuals and families receive benefits from their employers that include health insurance, and in some cases even some basic life insurance. But many others work for small employers that cannot afford to offer these valuable benefits, and are on their own when it comes to protecting their finances from the devastation that can arise […]
Unless you have a crystal ball, and in that case business is booming, the uncertainties of small business management can create a lot of stress. General liability insurance can help alleviate that fear of the unknown by protecting your company’s assets and revenues when the unforeseen occurs. As well trained and reliable as your employees […]
Surety bonds are just one of the many ways you can protect your business. McInnis Insurance Agency offers fast-turnaround surety bonds as well as other types of business insurance for Louisiana contractors. And because every situation and contractor is unique, we can find the solutions that are best suited to your business. Surety bonds in […]
Nearly all employers in Louisiana must carry some form of workers compensation insurance. As a business owner, this form of insurance not only protects your staff from wage losses and other damages resulting from an on-the-job injury or death, it also protects you and your commercial assets from litigation resulting from the incident. There are […]
Whether your business is in trucking, construction, transportation services or delivery, commercial vehicle insurance is an imperative tool that protects your equipment, drivers and future in the industry. A commercial vehicle is considered any truck or vehicle that is used by an individual in the course of their business dealings and/or in the course of […]
Nearly 15 million Americans work a permanent night shift or regularly rotate in and out of night shifts, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means a significant sector of the nation’s work force is exposed to the hazards of working nights, which include restlessness, sleepiness on the job, fatigue and decreased attention. This […]
Minden, LA
119 Pearl Street
Minden, LA, 71058
318-377-1145
Homer, LA
