Despite being one of the most useful rooms in your house, the kitchen is often referred to as one of the most dangerous. We all know that kitchens can be dangerous if we’re not careful. It’s easy to cut your hand, slip on spilt liquid, burn yourself, etc. When it comes to appliances, however, hazards aren’t so obvious. Even though appliances are meant to help you live your life more comfortably, it’s important to remember that they deal with elements such as water, electricity, and fire. To avoid potential hazards, proper knowledge and maintenance are essential despite appliances being generally safe.
Fridge
Cleanliness can play a big role in how often your refrigerator becomes dangerous. Sometimes the food you put next to spoiled food isn’t obvious. If you put it next to spoiled food, everything starts to spoil. It is best to clean your fridge every time you restock – ideally once a week – with disinfectants (or any liquid bacteria-killing solution). Do not overcrowd your fridge either if you add food. A fridge that does not circulate cold air as it should spread bacteria quickly. In addition, you can spread bacteria unintentionally by not paying attention to its temperature. As microbes thrive at temperatures above 40°F, you should keep your refrigerator between 32° and 40°F and your freezer below 0°F.
Stove
A stove, although highly functional, can cause major havoc in the kitchen if it is not handled properly.
You can put yourself or your home at risk by forgetting to turn off your stove after cooking or leaving it unattended. It is important to remember that stoves can cause harm, including fires. If you wear loose clothing, jewelry that hangs low, slippery shoes, or long hair untied near a burning coil, you may also cause a fire. If you leave the handles of your pots or pans on the outside, you might spill or even burn. You should use the backburners as often as possible. Make sure the handles are on the side and away from foot traffic.
Oven
Other than leaving food in the oven unattended, there are many other things we may unconsciously do that could prove dangerous.
A common problem is failing to properly clean your oven. If it isn’t cleaned after each use or isn’t cleaned well, you run the risk of setting fire to your food. Another problem is using the oven as a storage space.
After removing or even testing food, you should always close the door immediately since the heat is too strong to be toxic. You may also be standing too close to the oven or leaving the door open too long while it is running. In addition, it is important to ensure that food (and the racks themselves) are properly positioned before preheating the oven to prevent scalding or fires.
We are the experts at Capital Appliance Repair Tampa who can diagnose or maintain your appliance. All over the Tampa area, we are trusted to fix your appliance quickly and efficiently, so you can rest assured that your repair will be done that day. Call us at (813) 437-5133 or contact us today.