24/7 Emergency ServiceA Fire-Safe, Jolly Holiday Season | SERVPRO of Tri-County
5/1/2024 (Permalink)
Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Tri-County on the case!
It’s the season we all wait for, the holiday season! Whatever holidays you celebrate this time of year, there is bound to be food involved. If you are the personal chef for all your family and friends, make sure you cook safely to prevent a disaster.
The number of house fires increases every year during the holidays, with a large number of them starting in the kitchen. That makes it vital to cook with as many safety measures in place as possible.
When you head into the kitchen to get the meal started, take a few extra prep steps in order to protect your home. A lot of fires start because there are flammable items too close to heat sources.
Pay attention to where you are tossing towels and pot holders while you cook, and make sure to keep them away from the stove. It only takes a pop of hot grease to get a flame going. Wooden utensils are another item you should use with caution in the kitchen in order to prevent fires.
Think about what you are wearing when you head into the kitchen as well. Things with strings, flowing fabric or dangling material are all a fire hazard. Save the fun holiday sweaters for after the cooking, and keep yourself safe while you prepare the meal.
The best rule of thumb for staying safe when you cook is to stay close the entire time. Whether you are grilling, baking or frying, flames that start small can grow very quickly. If you are not in the room, your entire kitchen could catch fire before you ever make it back into the room.
If deep-frying a turkey is part of your plans, make sure you handle the process with extra safety. Put the fryer on a level surface, don’t overfill the oil and make sure the kiddos know to stay away.
Your turkey needs to be completely thawed before you get it near the oil. Even a turkey that is only half frozen can cause the oil to pop, and a frozen turkey can cause an explosion.
We know that we can’t stop every fire, but when we take extra precautions, we can greatly cut down the risks. Make sure your home has plenty of safety measures, including smoke detectors on every level of your home and in or near your kitchen. Check the batteries in your detectors regularly, but make it a point to check the batteries in the detector near your kitchen before you start cooking the holiday meal.
You should also have a small fire extinguisher near your kitchen as well. Make sure a few people in your home know how to use it so that quick action can be taken when something does happen. Keep lids in arms reach as well in order to quickly smother any grease fires that pop up.
Make your holiday season a safe one. If you do end up with some fire damage, call us. We can respond to your property fast and handle your restoration. It’s our goal to get your home put back together so that you can get back to your celebrations before the holidays are over.
House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!