Autumn Fire Safety Tips

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

The holidays are nearly upon us, and while they certainly are a great time to gather with friends and family, they can also create a number of hazards along the way. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 4,000 fires happen each Thanksgiving Day, usually in the kitchen!

• Never leave your food unattended while frying or grilling.
• Use a timer and routinely check whatever you’re cooking.
• If frying or deep-frying, keep the fryer outside, away from walls, and free from moisture.
• Never use a glass casserole or lid on the stove or burner, as it may explode from the heat.
• Ensure that pot holders and food wrappers are a safe distance— at least 3 feet!—from warmed surfaces (i.e. the stove). Position those handles so that they face inward.
• Avoid dangling accessories or loose clothes around kitchen fires.
• If using candles or the fireplace, keep these sources of fire shuttered or isolated, and never leave them unattended.
• Never douse a grease fire with water, as the fire can thus spread. Turn off the burner, smother the flames with a lid (wearing an oven mitt!), or douse with baking soda or a fire extinguisher if it’s getting out of hand.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen, and know how to use it.
• Ensure your smoke alarms are connected and working.
• Better safe than sorry. You can call the pros at 1888-674-6854 (USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline) with any cooking questions!
• Unplug appliances that are small and unnecessary; it’s a smart way to save energy and eliminate potential dangers if something is accidently turned on.
• After the party, walk around the home and ensure candles and fireplaces are extinguished, unnecessary appliances are turned off, and no potential hazards (leftovers, sharp/flammable objects) are in reach of your kids or pets.

Should you suffer fire damage during the holidays, contact SERVPRO of Bangor/Ellsworth at (207)947-0400!  Let us help you make it "Like it never even happened."