Appliance Safety for the Thanksgiving Holidays

11/12/2019 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. That means it time for those holiday dishes to make their appearance across dining room tables everywhere.  While most people are concerned about having enough food to feed their guests, they tend to forget about paying attention to other details like putting a larger than usual strain on the appliances used to cook their holiday feast.

Chances are your oven will be the one appliance with an increased workload.

Other common appliances like your microwave or slow cooker may also play some role in food preparation.

Whatever you're baking, you'll want to make sure all of the electrical connections have been inspected to ensure proper functionality. Always make sure the power is off and use caution when working near anything electrical.

By taking the time to do a quick inspection, like looking over the oven coils, you could save a kitchen disaster from happening over the holiday season. Even after your family and friends have feasted on your Thanksgiving meal, you'll want to be sure that the coils didn't take any damage.

Depending on your setup, your stove may be right above your oven, or it may be on the other side of the kitchen. It's a good idea to go ahead and make sure all four burners are in good working order, whether they're gas or electric. If you ever suspect a gas leak, it's always best to call a professional to get this fixed immediately!

Everyone's cooking habits and skills are different, but one thing is certain. The microwave gets used regularly to save time. Just like your oven, there are a few things you'll want to check to get ready for the holidays.

As with the oven, inspect all electrical connections to be sure nothing is loose. It's possible one or more of these connections could have come loose during use. After you've checked for loose connections, take a look at the door of the microwave, as well as the turntable. The door should not be loose, and it should close properly. If your door is falling off, or not shutting completely, it is probably time to get a new microwave. Your turntable should be free of any damage and shouldn't wobble when it's rotating.

When it comes to your slow cooker, make sure to check both ends of the cord for any frayed or exposed wires. If you spot any, cut the cord and dispose of your appliance immediately — black tape is not a safe remedy. Though slow cookers have been around for a long time, technology has improved a lot in recent years — older models don't offer modern safety features like auto-shutoff. If you notice any off odors or see that the exterior of your slow cooker feels hotter than it should when in use, unplug it right away and toss it. If there's a chance your slow cooker has spent time in someone's garage, you should probably consider upgrading.

SERVPRO of West Brown County wants you to have a worry-free Thanksgiving. In the event a faulty appliance causes an unexpected fire emergency in your home, know that we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer the call should you need restoration help following fire damage.

Our technicians are highly trained and ready to take on any project to get your life back in order. Give us a call us at (920) 434-8224.