Due to electrical appliances, kitchens are a potential source of fire. Even a small mistake can turn into a bad situation, leading to fire and damage. Here are a few things to consider as you remodel your kitchen to help you avoid potential fire damage and hazards.
Things to Consider to Avoid Fire Damage in a Kitchen Remodel
1 – Electrical Wiring
It’s important to hire a professional electrician to do electrical work. The work involves following the National Electrical Code, and in many cases, installing new walls and switches on your own could be a fire hazard. Under the National Electrical Code, you have to have a permit and inspection done by a city official before you can do any wiring. Even lighting fixtures have to be inspected. Wiring should never be done by yourself, as this can be a serious fire hazard.
2 – Stove & Oven
If you have a gas stove, an electric stove, or electric oven, you need to have these inspected for safety. They should have redundant safety features like an automatic shut-off, a flame sensor, and a spark sensor. These features detect the presence of something on fire and automatically shut the stove off or have a flame or spark sensor that goes off if there’s a fire in the oven.
3 – Electrical Appliances
Small appliances like the microwave and toaster should have their cords replaced if they’re damaged, frayed, or fraying. Also, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, you can install a new electrical outlet that has a breaker switch and surge protector. The surge protector will prevent a power surge from harming your appliances.
4 – Don’t Leave Things Unattended
Never leave food on the stove unattended. If you’re making a recipe that requires you to keep the stove on, keep an eye on it. Never leave a cooking appliance unattended.
5 – Don’t Overload Electrical Outlets
The most common cause of house fires is electrical issues. Plugging too many appliances into a single outlet, for example, can overload your system and cause wires to overheat—and eventually, cause fire.
6 – Call a Professional to Restore Your Kitchen
If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, call us to help. We’ll come in, assess the situation, and give you an estimate for the job. We’ll then help you decide when and where we should start!
Conclusion
While remodeling your kitchen can be a great way to bring back new charm and add that extra something to your kitchen, it can also be a potential fire hazard if not done right. If you do the work yourself, consider calling in a professional electrician for the electrical wiring. Even small kitchen remodels can still get you in trouble if you’re not careful. Call in a professional to help you avoid fire damage in your kitchen.
Should you be in need of fire damage restoration services, come to Restoration Solutions. We have over 20 years of experience in the restoration business, serving builders, homeowners, and single-family property managers.
