Read time: 3 min

Do you remember being a kid and your parents asking you to clean your room before a holiday party? You might have looked at them in confused bewilderment as you tried to figure out how the cleanliness of your room impacted a party that was happening in the living room and kitchen. Despite your efforts to convince them it wasn’t necessary, you somehow ended up cleaning your room anyway.

Now that you’re grown and planning to host your own holiday party, your parents’ cleaning logic might make a little more sense. When you host a large gathering for the holidays, you likely want everything to be perfect. From festive decorations and tasty homemade recipes to boardgames and upbeat music, there’s a lot that goes into a successful party. You can see how, with all the multi-tasking, it can be easy to lose track of time when preparing for guests, especially when cooking. Let’s discuss some helpful fire safety and prevention tips to keep in mind when you are cooking for your loved ones this holiday season.

Most kitchens are equipped with common cooking appliances like stovetops, ovens, microwaves, etc. Let’s go over the proper ways to respond to a fire depending on the appliance being used.

If you are cooking on a stovetop…

• Smother the flames by placing a lid covering your pot and/or pan immediately

If you are cooking with a deep fryer…

• Cover the deep fryer with a lid to contain smoke

If you are cooking with an oven…

• Keep the oven door closed and trap the heat

If you are cooking with a grill…

• Close the grill with the lid provided

No matter which appliance you are using, if possible, try your best to turn the heat off completely. However, if you are having doubts or trouble doing so, leave the kitchen as quickly as possible, close the door to contain the fire and call 911 right away.

Now let’s talk about prevention.

When frying, boiling, broiling or grilling food, you should stay near the cooking area at all times. If you are baking or roasting food, you are generally safe to go about your house freely, but it is a good idea to set a timer or check in on your food often. If you are feeling sleepy or have consumed any alcohol, it is best for you to hand off the cooking responsibilities to someone else altogether.

A cooking fire can happen when you least expect it. Here are some tips to keep in mind when cooking to help you prevent a fire and stay safe:

• Keep anything that could catch on fire or burn away from the area where you are cooking
• Keep children and pets away from the cooking area or at least three feet away from the cooking area, especially if you are hosting
• Turn pot/pan handles towards the back of the stove so no one can bump into them
• Keep all of your cooking equipment clean
• Wear short sleeves or sleeves that can be tightly rolled up

So, you are probably wondering, what foods are more prone to catch on fire or burn easily?

When cooking with oil, anything can catch on fire when you least expect it. Some things to keep in mind when cooking with oil are if you see wisps of smoke or if you can smell the oil, that means the oil is too hot and the heat needs to be turned down or off. Some other common flammable ingredients are flour, sugar, cooking alcohols and non-dairy or milk substitutes.

We seriously hope you never experience a fire whether it’s cooking-related or not. But, the reality is that it could happen and we want you to be prepared. Talk to your independent agent today about creating a home inventory and adding the following coverages to your policy to help you navigate the aftermath of a fire should you experience one.

• Interior Matching Protection
  • This coverage will apply when a portion of an interior feature is damaged and similar material is no longer available. Coverage options of 10% or 25% of Coverage A are available. This coverage only applies to cabinets, countertops, wall and floor coverings, and interior doors and trim.
• Guaranteed Home Replacement Cost
  • This coverage provides replacement of the dwelling at the insured location or elsewhere in excess of the insured amount. Some limitations apply. Refer to the endorsement for details.
• Increased Cost Endorsement
  • This coverage provides replacement of the dwelling at up to 125% of the insured amount and is available as an optional coverage on Form 3 policies which do not provide Guaranteed Home Replacement Cost coverage.
• Personal Articles Floater
  • This coverage provides coverage against risks of loss of bicycles, cameras, collectibles, fine arts, furs, garden tractors, hearing aids, jewelry, musical instruments, satellite dish antennas, silverware, sports equipment, stamp and coin collections, two-way communication devices and mobile telephones, and trading cards. 

We want to help you feel safe and protected during all unexpected events. Hopefully by keeping these fire safety cooking tips and prevention strategies in mind, you will be able to enjoy your holiday party safely.

Disclaimer: This article is not expert advice. The analysis of coverage is in general terms and is superseded in all respects by the Insuring Agreements, Endorsements, Exclusions, Terms and Conditions of the Policy. Some of the coverage mentioned in this material may not be applicable in all states or may have to be modified to conform to applicable state law. Some coverages may have been eliminated or modified since the publishing of this material. Discounts may not be available in all states. Limitations and conditions may apply. Premiums will be based on benefits chosen. Please check with your local Independent Auto-Owners Insurance Agent for details.

Copyright Auto-Owners Insurance Company © 2024. All Rights Reserved.