Top 3 Cooking Oil Disposal Tips

Kitchens are going to get busier during the holidays, but this doesn't mean that safety is going to be overlooked. In fact, fire prevention guidelines must be enforced better during the holiday season. Holiday celebrations are expected to involve plenty of cooking, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that the peak day for home cooking fires is Thanksgiving, which is followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve. In addition, cooking was the leading cause of reported residential fires from 2014 to 2018.

When a fire breaks out inside the home, not only does the property owner face losses in personal items and structure damages, but there is also a need to have the damage repaired by a professional fire damage restoration company, like ServiceMaster by Wright, in order to completely bring the affected area back to its pre-disaster condition. This could result to thousands of dollars in expenses. To save money and keep holiday cooking and celebrations free from the threat of a fire, ServiceMaster by Wright has compiled these cooking safety tips and steps to properly dispose of cooking oil.

Cooking Safety Tips

Here are the things that should be learned about home cooking safety.

Check food often while cooking. Use cooking timers when working on multiple dishes to be reminded about checking the foods being cooked, especially those that take a long time. Turn off the stove if there is a need to leave the kitchen.

Do not throw water on a grease fire because it will just distribute the fire all over the kitchen.

Wear proper clothing in the kitchen. Loose clothing or dangling sleeves can get stained, cause spills, or catch fire.

Remove flammable materials near any heat-generating appliance. This includes pot holders, oven mitts, food packaging and wooden utensils.

Keep children away from the kitchen. This is to make sure that they will not play with matches or stove fire. Establish a safe distance of three (3) feet between young children and the stove.

Clean surfaces to reduce grease accumulation. Grease fires are a major part of the cooking fire problem. Wipe down surfaces after cooking.

Turn off all cooking equipment at the end of the day. This includes ovens, stoves, fryers, and other appliances used for cooking the meals.

Safety Tips When Cooking With Oil

Pay attention to the food being fried and watch out for signs indicating that the oil is too hot, such as wisps of smoke or smells coming from the frying pan. When this happens, turn off the stove and remove the pan.

For sautéing or frying, heat the oil slowly to the desired temperature.

When adding food, do it carefully so that the oil would not splatter or spill.

If the pan catches fire, slide the lid over it and turn off the flame. Never use water to extinguish the fire. Leave the pan to cool for a long time.

If a fire goes out of control, tell everyone to get out of the house and alert the fire department.

How to Dispose of Cooking Oil Properly

Store and reuse cooking oil. In order to save your grease, let it cool first without allowing it to completely harden. After it has cooled, use cheesecloth to cover a glass jar and pour the grease through it. Place the grease in the refrigerator or freeze it until the time it would be needed again. Note that leftover grease must be used within six months of refrigeration. Strained leftover grease can be used to add extra flavor to food and could be used in sauces, seasoning, and other cooking techniques.

Turn leftover cooking oil into bird feed. Beef fat can be upcycled into suet cakes for birds. First, let the oil cool and then mix it with bird feed, flour, oats or cereal. The resulting mixture can be portioned into disposable cups used for baking and then refrigerated, or they can be rolled into balls when cool enough. After the grease cakes have turned solid, they can be rolled in bird seed and then hung outside using a mesh produce bag or a suet cage. Check the weather before hanging the cakes to make sure that it isn't warm enough to melt them.

Discard excess grease properly. Never pour grease down the drain. It can be left to cool and thrown out once it solidifies, or it can be poured in a disposable container, sealed, and then thrown away. After cooking, get rid of excess grease by scraping leftovers into the trash and wiping down plates and trays with paper towels to remove residual oil.

Southwest Florida's Most Trusted Fire Damage Restoration, Repair, and Cleanup Company

When a cooking fire isn't prevented, it's time to call a professional. ServiceMaster by Wright is a leading fire damage restoration company performing content cleaning, smoke and soot damage removal, and fire damage repair since 1979. We have pioneered fire and smoke damage restoration solutions for homeowners and businesses in Southwest Florida, and are also an insurance-preferred vendor.

With over 40 years of experience in restoring homes and businesses due to disasters, ServiceMaster by Wright can provide the guidance, expertise and personalized care needed to make sure life gets back to normal as quickly as possible.

Contact ServiceMaster by Wright at 239-431-9947 for fire damage repair services in Southwest Florida and surrounding areas. We cater to clients in Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Englewood, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Longboat Key, Naples, Marco Island, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Venice.

How to Prevent Office Kitchen Fires

Commercial kitchen fires are nothing new, but they are something that need to be taken seriously. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that from 2007 to 2011, 29 percent of office fires are caused by cooking equipment, causing 6 percent of property damage. When a fire occurs in a workplace or business, it could translate to thousands of dollars in fire damage repairs and restoration, as well as a possible loss of livelihood due to losses in revenue. In addition, the process of returning the property back to its pre-fire condition may cause temporary or permanent business shutdown.

While professional fire damage restoration companies, such as ServiceMaster by Wright in Southwest Florida, could help restore the facility, fire prevention is still the best way to prevent incurring expenses from repairing the damage. In this article, ServiceMaster by Wright discusses six important safety tips to prevent office kitchen fires to protect the employees and the business.

Six Tips to Reduce the Risk of Office Kitchen Fires

Never leave cooking food unattended. Accidents happen when employees leave the kitchen while cooking something, so it must be emphasized that they should stay near kitchen appliances while food or beverages are being cooked or heated. Any sign of malfunctioning in an appliance must immediately be reported to have proper measures performed on the equipment. Also, employees must watch out for any signs of smoke or overcooking in order to keep themselves and the building safe from the threat of a fire.

Inspect power cords. Power cords are a common sight in the office and, just like every other item, eventually go through wear and tear. This causes their soft coverings to become frayed and expose the inner wires, which can short out and cause a fire. To prevent this, employees must replace frayed or damaged power cords as soon as they are noticed. Cracked cords must never be used as they put the office at risk.

Plug kitchen appliances directly to a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord. Also, do not forget to unplug small appliances when they are not in use.

Maintain kitchen appliances regularly

. Cooking can get messy at times, and grease can build up over time which is a fire risk. Food spillage should immediately be removed to prevent food particles from sticking to surfaces. Wipe down toasters, ovens, microwaves, and other appliances regularly to prevent accidental kitchen fires.

Train employees how to properly use a fire extinguisher. Despite preventive efforts, fire accidents can still happen, so make sure that employees are knowledgeable about the usage of a fire extinguisher. There is a class of fire extinguisher for every type of fire:

• Class A - used for ordinary combustible materials, such as paper, cloth and wood
• Class B - is utilized for flammable liquids, like oil, grease and gasoline
• Class C - used for electrical fires
• Class D - used on combustible metals
• Class K - used for commercial cooking equipment and cooking media, such as fats or oils

Only use fire extinguishers if a fire can easily be contained. If it can't, immediately exit the building and call the fire department and emergency services.

Follow manufacturer's recommendations for surge protectors, adapters, power strips, and other office equipment. Mishandling or improperly using electrical elements can be a fire risk.

Commercial Fire Damage in Florida?

Get Help from ServiceMaster by Wright of Florida for Professional Fire Damage Restoration, Repair, and Cleanup Services

When a fire occurs in your commercial facility, there is a need to contact a professional to ensure that the damage is handled correctly. Rely on the experts of ServiceMaster by Wright to deliver the required content cleaning, soot and smoke removal, and fire damage repair service. Since 1979, we have been helping customers in Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Englewood, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Longboat Key, Naples, Marco Island, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Venice, Florida, with their water, fire, or mold damage problems. We also provide after-restoration cleaning services to completely bring your property back to normal.

ServiceMaster by Wright is an IICRC-certified firm, which means that we apply cutting-edge industry practices and techniques that give us a competitive advantage over other restoration companies. We have also passed the screening process and met qualification requirements to be listed as Preferred Insurance Claim Vendors for some of the top national insurance companies.

Contact ServiceMaster by Wright at 239-431-9947 for your fire damage restoration and repair needs today. Our emergency response team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year to cater to your needs.

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When inspecting homes or businesses, water damage inspection does not have to be visible to be destructive. Hidden moisture in your home or office could lead to mold growth and structural deterioration.

Thermal Imaging for Water Damage Restoration

Infrared Thermal Imaging technology allows our technicians to pinpoint the source of moisture without having to cut unnecessary holes in your walls or floors. Using thermal imaging tools, the source of water damage will be done easily throughout the water damage restoration process.

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From attic to the crawlspace, ServiceMaster by Wright has been providing reliable, high-quality, professional service in Florida. ServiceMaster by Wright shines in water loss prevention, specialty drying and water damage restoration. We offer dependable, competent, and personalized service, as well as the solutions to any and all water damage problems.

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Many scenarios cause water damage to your home or business in Bradenton, FL. We know that such situations in your home can be traumatic for you and your family. That is why it is critical to take immediate action to address the problem. Here, we have discussed the complete process of water damage restoration. Call us now at 941-877-6025 to schedule an inspection and assessment in your property.

ServiceMaster by Wright provides professional water damage restoration and repair services to homes and businesses in Bradenton, FL. Our technicians use advanced drying and extraction equipment to remove standing water and excess moisture from your property. We will then restore all damaged materials and belongings to their original state.

CALL US AT 941-877-6025

ServiceMaster by Wright has 40 years of experience in water damage restoration in Bradenton, FL, and has technical expertise. Call ServiceMaster by Wright at 941-877-6025 at any time of day for our emergency water removal services.

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If you have water damage in your business, it’s critical to act fast. Commercial or residential water damage in Sarasota, FL can be devastating to your property. Our ServiceMaster by Wright IICRC Certified Technicians are always on call and will be at your door within the day to begin the emergency water damage restoration. We are an insurance preferred vendor water damage restoration company so you’ll receive a comprehensive estimate and plan of action for your property. Call us now at 941-877-6025.

Our quick response times put you at ease and saves money. Our dedicated team of restoration specialists is prepared for any situation due to water damage. We offer our clients state of the art equipment to ensure successful water damage restoration in Sarasota, FL. Our professionals use advanced products and the best equipment to assure the highest level of cleaning to restore your home and business, furnishings, and equipment as a result of water damage. What’s your plan when disaster strikes? Contact ServiceMaster by Wright for commercial or residential water damage cleanup services in Sarasota, FL.

You can never go wrong with ServiceMaster by Wright. With years of experience in Sarasota water damage restoration, we are on top of what we do! Call us on 941-877-6025 right away for a free estimate!