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A Holly, Jolly Fire-Free Holiday Season | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton
11/17/2023 (Permalink)
Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton on the case!
It’s one of the best times of year, the holiday season! No matter how or when you celebrate, there is likely to be some really incredible food involved. Really incredible food can’t happen without someone putting in the work to cook it though—and more time in the kitchen means a higher risk of house fires.
The number of house fires that occur increases dramatically when the holidays roll around, and a vast majority of them begin in the kitchen. That doesn’t mean you have to cut out Grandma’s pumpkin pie this year; instead, it just means taking some extra steps to keep your home safe.
It’s pretty natural to put in a little prep work when you head into the kitchen to get ready to cook. Make sure some of your preparation includes making things fire-safe as well. Kitchen fires don’t just stem from cooking, but can also be caused by clutter.
Keep towels, oven mitts or pot holders away from any sources of heat. Watch out for wooden utensils, too, storing them off of the stove when they are not in use. It only takes the grease popping once or a single spark to catch these items on fire fast.
Consider what you are wearing when you start working on the holiday meal as well. Anything with flowing fabric, hanging strings or dangling items can be a fire hazard. Skip the fun apron, and roll up your sleeves to stay safe.
Any time you cook, make it a point to stay in the kitchen the whole time. Even after everything is done, stick close by until your appliances begin to cool down. Kitchen fires can get very big, very fast. You need to be able to move as quickly as possible should one start in order to prevent a total disaster.
If you are planning on deep-frying a turkey for any of your gatherings, make sure you take some extra steps towards safety. Never overfill the oil, and follow all safety precautions as listed by the fryers manufacturer.
Put the fryer on a level surface away from anything flammable, and make sure the kids know to stay away. Thaw your turkey completely. Even a turkey that is only partially frozen can cause popping and sizzling grease that could burn you or start a fire.
Fires may not be completely preventable, but taking as many precautionary steps as possible can reduce your risks and protect your home. Your house should already have smoke detectors on every level, but make sure there is one right outside of the kitchen as well. Check the batteries before you start cooking to make sure you are good to go.
Keep a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, and make sure several members of your family know how to use it. For potential grease fires, keep the lid to any pots and pans you are using so that you can smother them out fast.
This season, make safety a priority. If you do have a fire in your home, call us right away. We can tackle any damage around the clock, so you can get back to your celebrations.
House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!