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Have a Jolly and Safe Holiday | SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul
11/17/2023 (Permalink)
Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul on the case!
The time of year everyone loves is back! No matter how or when you celebrate during the holidays, there is a good chance many of your celebrations will include some incredible food. If you are cooking or even just watching someone cook, make sure there are some safety steps in place to prevent a potential disaster.
The amount of house fires that occur every year always goes up during the holidays, and a surprising amount of those fires start in the kitchen. You can keep your home safe while you cook, though, and it is as simple as taking a few proactive steps towards safety.
Cooking comes with a lot of prep work. Washing, slicing, peeling, dicing—as you get your food ready, you should also get your space ready. Clutter is a common cause of kitchen fires that get out of control.
Don’t toss around towels, pot holders or oven mitts, but instead ensure they are kept a safe distance from any source of heat. Pay attention to wooden cooking utensils, too. These might be a popular tool that is in almost every kitchen, but they are still wood and shouldn’t be stored near heat. It only takes one grease bubble or a single spark to send flames all over your kitchen.
Think about what you are wearing when you cook as well. Skip the cute holiday clothes, especially when they have loose strings, flowing fabric or hanging decorations. Loose materials present another fire hazard that could quickly lead to a disaster.
The best way to prevent a fire disaster in your home is to stay in the kitchen the whole time you are cooking. Whether you are cooking on the stove, baking in the oven or using a grill pan, fires can start in an instant. When you aren’t close by, a single flame can spread through your entire kitchen before you get back into the space.
Are you planning on deep-frying a turkey for some of your celebrations? It is important to add a few extra safety precautions to your day if you are.
Make sure the fryer is on a flat surface away from flammable materials. Don’t overfill the oil, and follow safety guidelines laid out by the maker of your fryer.
Thaw your turkey completely before you drop it into the oil. Even a partially frozen turkey can cause the oil to spatter and pop, and a frozen turkey can cause a full explosion.
Fires will never be completely preventable, but when you prioritize safety steps, you can greatly lower your risks and protect your home. You home should have plenty of protective measures in place as well.
While there should be smoke detectors on every level of your home, don’t skip putting one in or near your kitchen. Check the batteries before you start cooking as well to make sure you are ready.
Keep a fire extinguisher near your kitchen as well, and make sure a few people in your home know how to use it. The faster you can move when something happens, the better the outcome will be. Keep your pan lids at hands reach as well so that you can smother grease fires.
Make your holiday cooking season a safe one. If you do end up with some fire damage, regardless of size, call us. We can respond to your property any time and get things put back together. We will handle your restoration fast so you can get back to celebrating.
House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!