The kitchen is the heart of the home for most of us, especially during the holidays. From decorating cakes and cookies, to testing family recipes, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations.
It is important to keep fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home. So, as you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, here are a few simple safety tips to remember to help keep you and your family safer from fire.
- Some Thanksgiving fire facts:
- In 2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,600 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving.
- Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and the day before Thanksgiving.
- Cooking equipment was involved in almost half of all reported home fires and home fire injuries, and it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.
- Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths
Cooking safety
Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? By following a few safety tips, you can prevent these fires. Here are ten tips:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
Jones Companies wishes you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Stay safe and remember if you experience a fire in your home, call the professionals at The Jones Companies for immediate response in getting your home back to its pre-fire condition.