Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Holiday season leading to New Year. It’s the most awaited time of the year when you eagerly look forward to being with family and friends, expressing gratitude and partaking in festive meals of different varieties. Surely, a fire is the last thing you want to see or deal with, when celebrating with your near and dear.
According to a report, from 2017 to 2019 around 2300 residential building fires have occurred in the US. This makes it crucial to consider fire safety tips for your home and kitchen, before you start preparing for Thanksgiving. Here’s a blog that identifies common causes for Thanksgiving fires and ways to secure your home from a disaster. One of the first and foremost things to do in the event of a fire mishap is to contact a fire damage restoration service company immediately in case your kitchen catches fire while cooking on or around Thanksgiving Day.
Causes of kitchen fires during Thanksgiving
a. Unattended cooking
While cooking or frying, unattended pots and pans can overheat if left unattended for long, and lead to a fire. Make sure to not let phones or the TV distract you when working in the kitchen. Keep your children busy with indoor games so that they too don’t divert your attention.
b. Grease buildup and splatters
Accumulated grease on stovetops, range hoods, and ovens can be a leading cause of fire. Grease is highly flammable, and when it accumulates, it can ignite with even a small spark. To prevent this risk, make it a routine to regularly clean surrounding areas of the stove to ensure thorough removal of grease stains.
c. Electrical malfunctions
Kitchen fires can be caused by faulty kitchen equipment, frayed wires, or overloaded electrical outlets. It is critical therefore, to schedule repairs on spotting any indicators of wear or damage as soon as possible. To reduce the danger of electrical fires in the kitchen, also avoid overloading outlets and consider replacing kitchen appliances that show symptoms of wear and tear.
Fire safety practices to follow
a. Install fire extinguishers
Install fire extinguishers at fire sensitive zones like your kitchen. It’s a small investment that will ensure the safety of your family and the protection of your property should the unthinkable happen.
b. Create a kid-free zone
Thanksgiving is generally celebrated with a house full of family and friends, including children who are naturally curious. To reduce the possibility of mishaps, designate a child-free zone in the kitchen. This not only protects youngsters, but also helps the chef to concentrate on the work at hand without being distracted.
c. Practice safe turkey thawing
If you’re going to roast a turkey, make sure you defrost it properly. Avoid makeshift procedures like leaving it on the counter for a long period of time. Instead, defrost your turkey in the refrigerator or under cold running water. This decreases the danger of contamination and kitchen fires by preventing the growth of hazardous germs.
d. Double-check your smoke alarms
In the event of a fire, your smoke alarms are your first line of defense. Before the festivities begin, test and double-check all of your smoke alarms. Replace any dead batteries and double-check that each alarm is working properly. A timely and functioning response system can be the difference between minimizing fire damage and causing it.
Restoration 1 of Chester County: Your trusted partner in fire damage restoration
In the unfortunate event that a fire does occur, it’s crucial to have a reliable fire damage restoration service on your side. We are Restoration 1 of Chester County, a reputed fire restoration services company serving the Greater Philadelphia area. Our teams are experienced in handling residential fires and providing timely and professional fire cleanup services. Contact us at 610-638-7605 without delay, if you have a fire situation in your home this festive season. Wishing you a safe and joyful Thanksgiving celebration!
(Certified Restoration Professional)