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Have a Holly, Jolly Fire-Free Holiday Season | SERVPRO of Westfield
11/17/2023 (Permalink)
Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Westfield on the case!
The holidays are finally back again, which means family time and delicious food. No matter how or when you celebrate, time in the kitchen is likely going to be required. Whether you are the cook or not, keep safety a priority.
The number of house fires goes up every year during the holidays, and a large number of them start in the kitchen. When you prioritize safety, you can cook the incredible meals (or just eat them) and rest easy knowing your home is safe.
In order to keep things safe, a little bit of preparation can go a long way. Clearing out the clutter in your kitchen is a great way to prevent the spread of fire.
Remove flammable items like oven mitts, towels and pot holders. While you cook, make sure to put them down far away from any heat sources. Don’t store wooden utensils on the stove, either; instead keep them a safe distance away. It only takes a single pop of grease or a small spark to start a fire.
Pay attention to what you are wearing as well when you head into the kitchen to make the holiday meal. Avoid hanging strings, flowing fabric or anything dangling. Put the fun sweater on after you finish the meal in order to keep everything safe.
The best way to stay safe while you cook is to stay in the kitchen the whole time. When a fire starts, it can spread fast. If you are not in the room to take quick action, your whole kitchen can go up in flames before you get back. Kitchen fires spread incredibly fast.
If you are planning on deep-frying a turkey, you will need to be extra cautious in order to prevent a disaster. Don’t overfill the fryer, and make sure it is on a level surface away from flammable materials.
Follow the manufacturer guidelines, and thaw your turkey completely. A frozen turkey can cause an explosion, and a partially frozen turkey can cause large grease splatters that present burn and fire hazards.
We may not be able to stop all fires, but the more safety steps you take, the safer your home will be. Make sure your home has plenty of protective measures in order to lower your risks as well.
There should be a smoke detector on every level of your home, including one in or near your kitchen. Check the batteries regularly, including before you head into the kitchen to cook the holiday meal.
Keep a small fire extinguisher near your kitchen as well. You can even teach older kids how to use it in order to ensure that quick action can always be taken if a disaster strikes. When you cook, be sure to keep lids at arms’ reach to be able to quickly smother grease fires.
Make your holiday season a safe one. If you do experience fire damage in your home, call us. We can restore your home quickly, day or night. We make it our goal to get your home put back together so you can get back to celebrating the rest of the season.
House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!