Holiday Fire Safety Cooking

11/18/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are peak days for home cooking fires?

The holiday season brings family together for good times and good cheer, but it could also be a hectic time. Did you know it also brings a higher risk of home cooking fires?

In 2016, there were around 1,570 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving day alone, with unintended cooking being the leading cause of incidents. In almost half of all reported home fires and injuries, cooking equipment was involved.

Keep your home and your family safe this holiday season by following these safety tips:

• Check to see if your smoke alarms are working by pressing the test button.
• Keep an eye on your food! Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop. Do not leave home with a turkey cooking in your oven.
• Make sure your stovetop is free of any potentially flammable objects (towels, paper, cardboard, etc.).
• Keep children under age 5 away from the stove.
• Be sure electric cords from kitchen appliances (such as coffee makers, plate warmers, mixers, etc.) are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of children.
• Keep matches and utility lighters in a cabinet up above, out of reach of children.
• When in doubt, just get out! Do not try to fight any fires that may grow out of control. Ensure your safety by leaving the house, and call 911 as soon as you are a safe distance away from the fire.

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / E. Schaumburg / Itasca / Roselle / Palatine / Rolling Meadows is ready 24/7, even on holidays, to respond to any emergency disaster. If your home has suffered from fire damage, call us! (847) 593-3055