Food For Thought: Winter Fires

December 6, 2021

By Mary Parker Draper, Extension Agent – Smith County

Residential fires are, unfortunately, a common incident, especially in the winter months. Extra cooking and overheating homes can cause a fire. Whether the whole house has been affected or just a kitchen fire, people try to salvage what they can, including food. However, generally speaking, saving food that has been in a fire is not a good idea, because the USDA says it can be compromised by the heat of fire, smoke fumes, and chemicals used to fight fires.

Food in cans or jars may seem to be okay, but if they’ve been close to the heat of a fire, they may no longer be safe to eat. Heat from a fire can trigger food spoilage bacteria. If the heat is extreme, the cans or jars themselves can divide or rupture, making the food unsafe for consumption.

The USDA states that one of the most dangerous features of a fire can be toxic fumes released from burning materials. Those fumes can kill. They can also contaminate food. Any type of food stored in permeable packaging should be thrown away. Toxic fumes can infuse the packaging and contaminate the food. Discard any raw foods stored outside the refrigerator that could be contaminated by fumes. Unexpectedly, food stored in refrigerators or freezers can also become contaminated by fumes. The refrigerator seal isn’t airtight, and fumes can get inside. Discard food if exposed to smoke fumes from fire.

Chemicals used to fight fires contain toxic materials and can contaminate food and cookware. The chemicals cannot be washed off the food. Foods that are exposed to chemicals should be thrown away. Canned goods and cookware exposed to chemicals can be disinfected. Wash in a strong detergent solution, then dip in a bleach solution (1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water) for 15 minutes.

The American Red Cross recommends that you:

 • Make your home fire-safe by installing battery-powered smoke detectors on each floor and in the garage. Test the detectors twice a year and keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

 • Plan two emergency escape routes from each room in the house. Have rope or chain ladders for upstairs rooms. Agree on where to meet after the family escapes.

• Have your own practice fire drills. Instruct everyone to crawl low under smoke.

Fires can be devastating, especially this time of the year. Being proactive by using extra caution and having smoke detectors and fire extinguishers available may save lives.

Homemade Kentucky Blackberry Cobbler

2 ½ cups blackberries, washed

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Stir together just the berries and sugar in large bowl and let set aside for 25-30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and milk with a wooden spoon. Stir in melted butter and hand mix until the ingredients are well mixed (you will have a few clumps). Pour batter into a medium baking dish and smooth out. You can line pan with parchment paper or not. DO NOT GREASE pan. Finally, pour the macerated blackberries on top with all the sugar included, and spread evenly over batter. Bake for 45-60 minutes depending on golden brown you prefer. Let cool 5 minutes so it will hold its shape. Serve warm or cool with ice cream and/or whipped cream. Submitted by Rita Klenke, Grant FCE Club.