Home Insurance Florida| Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

Food is the heart of most holiday celebrations, and special dishes often bring family and friends together. With all that extra time spent in the kitchen, it’s important to stay mindful of safety.

Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and related injuries in the U.S. In fact, Thanksgiving Day sees the most home cooking fires each year, followed by Christmas Day. Use these simple tips to help prevent accidents and keep your holiday season safe and joyful.

Inspect and Test Smoke Detectors
The National Fire Protection Association reports that, “Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (38%) or no working smoke alarms (21%).” It isn’t enough just to have them. Inspect each one to make sure it is clean and operable. Replace the batteries if you cannot remember the last time you installed fresh ones.

Place a Fire Extinguisher Nearby
Any cooking operations should have a fire extinguisher within easy reach. This includes the kitchen stove, ovens, and any outdoor cooking areas, such as a grill or deep fryer. Teach family members to keep one close while cooking and how to operate it if necessary.

Know How to Handle Grease

Grease fires can ignite quickly. Never use water to extinguish one, as it can cause the flames to spread. Instead, cover the pan with a fitted lid to smother the fire or use a fire extinguisher if it extends beyond the stovetop.

Only Cook in Appropriate Clothing

Save your festive outfit for after the meal. When cooking, wear fitted clothing that won’t catch on handles or touch hot surfaces. Tie back long hair and remove dangling jewelry that could pose a hazard.

Keep Appliances Neat and Orderly

Before heavy holiday cooking begins, clean and inspect your appliances. Unplug small appliances when not in use, and avoid overloading outlets. Keeping your workspace clear helps prevent accidents and electrical issues.

Maintain a Kid-Free Safe Zone

Children love to help, but safety should always come first. Teach older kids proper kitchen safety and keep younger children at least three feet away from hot surfaces, ovens, and cooking tools.

If in Doubt – Get Out!

If a cooking fire starts and can’t be controlled quickly, don’t risk it. Cover pots, close the oven door, and evacuate the home. Shut doors behind you to contain the fire, call 911, and wait for emergency responders at a safe distance.

Protect What Matters Most

The holidays are about family, comfort, and creating memories — not worrying about accidents. Having the right homeowners insurance can give you peace of mind all season long.

At American Integrity Insurance, we provide comprehensive coverage and exceptional service to help Florida homeowners protect their homes year-round. From traditional and high-value homeowners insurance to specialized options for condos, rentals, and vacant properties, we have you covered.

Contact an American Integrity Insurance agent today to learn more about home insurance in Florida and keep your holidays worry-free.

American Integrity Insurance Group is committed to providing Florida homeowners with sound, comprehensive insurance coverage and an extraordinary customer experience. We strive to be a valued partner to our policyholders, agents and community.

We offer traditional and high valued homeowners insurance, condo insurance, renters insurance, and the special coverage required for vacant homes, manufactured homes, and policies designed for those who need less coverage or are renting out their home. We also offer extra protection, including flood insurance, umbrella insurance, golf cart insurance, boat insurance, cyber coverage and identity theft protection as well as equipment breakdown coverage, to help address a broad range of needs facing Florida homeowners today.