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Prep for the Holidays in a Fire-Safe Way | SERVPRO of Buffalo/Tonawanda
11/17/2023 (Permalink)
Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Buffalo/Tonawanda on the case!
The holly jolly holiday season is here, and we are so excited about it! This time of year brings everyone together for family parties and events, and we are sure you gather around the dinner table to toast to another year well-lived.
Whether you are in charge of preparing all of the food for an upcoming party or you volunteered to bring your world-famous cranberry sauce, you will be in the kitchen cooking away.
Kitchen fires increase at this time of year, and a single accident or oversight could leave your entire home damaged quickly. Practicing fire-safe kitchen strategies can help reduce your risk of starting a fire while you are making your delicious food.
You should always take the time to prepare your space before you even turn on a burner or preheat your oven. Many kitchen fires start because there are too many flammable objects near flames or heat, so clearing excess clutter can help reduce this risk.
Removing pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils and holiday decorations is essential. Even just a single spark or popped grease bubble can travel to a flammable object and start a blaze instantly.
In addition, you should also be aware of what you are wearing in the kitchen. Cute holiday outfits or decorative aprons may put you in a seasonal mood, but they can be dangerously flammable in the right circumstances. Keep loose clothing to a minimum, and roll up your sleeves before you get to work.
Don’t ever leave the kitchen while your food is cooking. Leaving the kitchen for any amount of time can cause a potential fire to catch and spread, resulting in your entire kitchen being in flames by the time you get back. Grilling, frying, boiling and baking can all be dangerous, so be aware of your surroundings no matter what kind of cooking you are doing.
If your family loves to deep-fry a turkey around the holidays, use extreme caution. Choose a flat, nonflammable surface to set up your fryer, and do not overfill it with oil.
Read all the directions and make sure to pull out your turkey to thaw days in advance so it is fully thawed all the way through. A partially frozen turkey can cause the oil to spatter and pop when it comes into contact with the turkey.
Proper kitchen safety strategies can help reduce your risk of suffering a kitchen fire, but we all know that fire is unpredictable. This is why having protective measures in place is crucial!
Each level of your home should have a smoke alarm, and one should ideally be near or in your kitchen. Check the batteries every month and change them regularly as they expire.
You should also make sure a fire extinguisher is designated to stay in your kitchen. Being able to quickly extinguish a flame can stop a problem before it gets out of control. Note the expiration date on your extinguisher and replace it as necessary.
We want you to enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday season, but remember that we are always here for you if you do suffer a house fire. We will clean, sanitize and rebuild your home as quickly as possible so you can get back to the festivities right away.
House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!