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A Fire-Free Holiday Season | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
11/17/2023 (Permalink)
Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island on the case!
It’s the time of year we all wait for. The holiday season brings with it lights, family time and plenty of delicious food. Delicious food means lots of cooking, though, and with lots of cooking comes a heightened risk of house fires.
A large number of house fires start in the kitchen, and fires are always more prevalent during the holiday season. You can still cook your Auntie’s secret recipe—you just have to be more cautious as you do it.
When you head into the kitchen to start the holiday cooking, take some time to prepare. When you clean your counters, make sure you move any clutter or decorations far away from any heat sources as well.
Keep pot holders, oven mitts and wooden spoons off of the stove. It only takes a pop of grease or a quick spark out of a pan to catch anything around on fire. Maintain a clear space all around anything you are cooking on or in.
Pay attention to what you are wearing while you cook as well. Loose-fitting clothing, anything with hanging strings or dangling fabric—including that fun ugly holiday sweater—can be a fire hazard. Keep your sleeves rolled up, and skip the fancy clothes while you cook.
The best way to stay safe any time you cook, regardless of the time of year, is to stay in the kitchen. Fire can start in the oven, on the stove or even in countertop appliances. Kitchen fires spread very quickly, which means you need to be able to take action fast to keep things from getting out of control.
If you are planning on deep-frying a turkey for one of your celebrations, take some extra steps to keep everyone safe. Read the safety instructions on your fryer thoroughly, and never overfill the oil.
Put the fryer on a flat surface away from any flammable materials, and ensure the kids and four-legged kids know to stay away. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed—even a partially frozen turkey can cause oil spatter that leads to a disaster.
You might not be able to prevent all fires, but when you take steps to stay as safe as possible, you can greatly lower your risks and keep your home protected. Make sure you have enough smoke detectors throughout your home, including one near your kitchen. Check the batteries before you start cooking your incredible meal to make sure you are safely ready to go.
Keep a fire extinguisher somewhere close as well, and make sure several members of your household know how to use it. Even if you don’t plan to use them, always get the lid to whatever pot or pan you are using out in order to quickly smother grease fires.
Make your holiday the safest it can be. If you do have a fire or smoke damage, call us day or night to get things restored quickly. We have the tools and availability to get your home taken care of so you can get back to enjoying the best food ever.
House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!