Kitchens are going to be busy this Thanksgiving, so it is important to practice safety precautions to ensure that festivities are not interrupted by an unwelcome fire. An unforeseen fire on Thanksgiving does not only disrupt the celebration but also results to property damage which often requires the intervention of an expert fire damage restorer. Thankfully, risks can be reduced with proper planning and precaution.
For Thanksgiving to remain safe and enjoyable, ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief discusses important safety tips to prevent common mistakes that may cause a fire to break out in the home.
Thanksgiving Fire Statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration
- From 2017 to 2019, the average number of reported residential building fires on Thanksgiving Day was 2.3 times more the average number of fires in residential buildings on all other days.
- Every Thanksgiving Day from 2017 to 2019, U.S. fire departments have reported to an estimated average of 2,300 residential building fires.
- These fires resulted to an estimated annual average of 5 deaths, 25 injuries and about $26 million in property loss.
How to Prevent Thanksgiving Fires
Since most Thanksgiving fires are centered around cooking, here are some tips to keep it safe on Turkey Day.
- Stay in the kitchen. In order to focus on cooking and not leave any food or appliance unattended, it is advised to remain in the kitchen. Keep an eye on any food being cooked on a stove, and remain inside the home when cooking turkey, checking on it frequently. Stay in the kitchen until all the cooking is finished, and if there is a need to leave it, turn off the stove or appliances used.
- Use a timer. This is to keep track of cooking times, especially for foods that take a long time to cook. It is advised to place timers in different rooms to hear them over loud parties or music.
- Wear proper clothing. Avoid wearing loose or billowy clothing and dangling sleeves. These can cause spills, get stained, or even catch fire when they come into contact with an open flame.
- Avoid cooking when sleepy or when drinking alcohol.
- Keep combustible materials away from any heat source. Items such as oven mitts and pot holders could catch fire if placed too close to a source of heat.
- Keep children away. Children might want to take part in the food preparations, but it would be safer if they are kept away from the action. Keep knives, lighters, matches, and other potentially dangerous items out of reach. Establish a three-foot distance between the children and the stove and do not leave them alone in rooms with lighted candles.
- Manage power cords. Ensure that electrical cords are not dangling off the counter and easily reached by a child. Also, plug appliances directly to a wall socket instead of using an extension cord.
- Keep surroundings clean. Keep the floor clean to minimize tripping over things.
- Clean surfaces and turn off equipment. Grease can accumulate throughout the day, so make sure to wipe all surfaces down to prevent a fire risk. At the end of the day, all cooking equipment must be turned off and unplugged.
Other Fire Safety Tips
- Inspect fire alarms before Thanksgiving Day. Make sure that smoke alarms and detectors are working properly. Test them by pushing the test button; get this done before Thanksgiving. Replace batteries as needed.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. When a fire does break out in the kitchen or anywhere in the house, having a fire extinguisher nearby to douse the flames quickly can save you from significant loss and destruction. However, fire extinguishers are only effective for fires that can be contained. If a fire goes out of control, exit the building and alert the fire department immediately.
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers can help control and stop minor fires and prevent major damages. They are fairly easy to use and most types operate using the P.A.S.S. technique:
- P. Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher in order to break the tamper seal.
- A. Aim the fire extinguisher low, with the nozzle pointed at the base of the fire.
- S. Squeeze the handle of the fire extinguisher to release the extinguishing agent.
- S. Sweep the nozzle from side to side while pointed at the base of the fire until it is extinguished.
- If the fire re-ignites, repeat the last 3 steps.
How To Put Out a Grease Fire
Cooking fires are the top cause of home fires and injuries. Of these fires, majority begin with oil becoming too hot, boiling and eventually turning from smoke into flames. These are called grease fires, or Class K fires.
Here’s how to put out a grease fire:
- Cover the fire immediately. You can use a lid or cookie sheet to put out a grease fire. Leave this cover on until the flames are gone and the metal is cool to the touch. This helps prevent oxygen from continuing to fuel the fire.
- Turn off the heat source. Turning off the stove or burners used will prevent the grease or oil from continuing to be heated. While this will help, do not remove the pan from the stove. You may drop the pan or cause burning grease to spread throughout your home, placing yourself at risk of harm.
- Do not pour water on the fire. It can cause the grease to splash and the flames to spread. This is caused by the water vaporizing in the intense heat, causing grease to splash as the water vapor escapes.
- Using a Class K fire extinguisher should be your last resort. A grease fire can be difficult to put out without the proper tools. If you don’t have a class K fire extinguisher, call 911.
Contact Us for Fire Damage Restoration Services in Clearwater, Florida
Contact ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief at (813) 295-7797 or message us to know more about our restoration services. We are here to help you through every step of the entire fire restoration process and will perform the necessary content cleaning; smoke, soot and odor removal; and fire damage repair to return your home to pre-disaster condition after an unexpected Thanksgiving fire.
Why Choose ServiceMaster?
- Licensed General Contractor
- IICRC-certified firm
- Licensed and fully bonded technicians
We service Oldsmar, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Florida and surrounding areas. Don’t know what to do? We do. Contact us today.
Contact ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief at (813) 295-7797 or message us to know more about our restoration services. We service Oldsmar, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Florida and surrounding areas.
