Thanksgiving Week is here, and we at ServiceMaster by Reed are grateful for your support and patronage throughout the years. We want our customers to have a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving celebration with their loved ones, so we’re sharing these safety tips with you!
Fires are common during Thanksgiving, with unattended equipment being the leading cause of home cooking fires. We know that the kitchen will be busy, so avoid these common mistakes! In case the uneventful happens, however, know that the experts at ServiceMaster by Reed have your back. We’re available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Miami fire damage restoration.
Dos and Don'ts for Thanksgiving Fire Safety
Avoid fires during Turkey Day with these reminders from ServiceMaster Restore and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
DOs
- Check fire alarms. Before Thanksgiving arrives, replace old batteries and test your fire alarms to ensure that they are fully functional.
- Keep your eye on what's cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires. Use timers when cooking multiple dishes simultaneously, and stay in the kitchen at all times when something's cooking.
- Keep kids away. Children must be at least three feet away from the stove. Also, keep them away from hot food and liquids to prevent scalding and serious burns. Ensure that matches and utility lighters are stored in a safe place.
- Clean often. In the kitchen, prevent fires caused by grease buildup. Make sure to remove any tripping hazards in your homes, such as toys or bags.
- Turn off all cooking equipment after use, including small appliances and other items that were used to cook food.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. There are different extinguishers for different kinds of fires. Have one or two nearby in case a fire breaks out to prevent significant property damage.
- Keep electrical cords organized. Do not allow them to dangle off a counter and keep them away from children's reach.
- Thaw and dry your turkey completely before frying. If you plan to use a turkey fryer, do not use too much oil, and do not attempt to fry a wet, partially defrosted, or frozen turkey.
DON'Ts
- Do not cook when you feel sleepy or have consumed alcohol.
- Do not leave the kitchen until you've finished whatever you are cooking.
- Do not wear loose clothing or those with dangling sleeves while you cook to prevent spills, stains, or fires.
- Do not keep flammable items or those that can catch fire near the stove, including food packaging, oven mitts, pot holders, and wooden utensils.
- Do not leave children alone with a lit candle or open flame.
What to Do During a Fire
- Do not panic but act immediately.
- Inform everyone about the fire and evacuate the property. Utilize pre-planned escape routes. Create an emergency plan now if you don't have one.
- Hot air rises, so stay close to the floor and crawl as you evacuate.
- Put your safety first. Do not stop to find your pets and help them escape.
- If you can do so, close the door to the room where the fire began. Close doors as you exit.
- Before opening any closed door, touch it first using the back of your hand. If the door feels warm, there's a huge possibility that there's a fire behind it. Find another route to exit the property.
- Don't try to put out a fire unless you are trained to do so.
- Do not return to the building once you've left it.
- As soon as everyone is safe, call the fire department. Inform them if anyone is remaining or trapped in the building.
Why Call a Professional for Fire Damage Restoration?
Professional fire damage restoration is crucial for:
- Thorough Damage Assessment: Identifying all fire-related damage, ensuring structural safety.
- Effective Cleanup: Removing soot and smoke, preventing lasting damage and health issues.
- Water Damage Mitigation: Quickly addressing any firefighting water damage to prevent mold.
- Restoration and Repair: Rebuilding and restoring property to pre-fire condition.
- Safety and Health: Handling toxic materials safely and improving indoor air quality.
- Efficiency: Speeding up recovery and reducing long-term restoration costs.
- Insurance Support: Providing documentation and assistance with insurance claims.
Disasters Don’t Stop for the Holidays. Neither Do We.
ServiceMaster by Reed is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to fire and smoke damage restoration in Miami, Florida, and nearby areas. We want you to enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones, and that is why we deliver our services in a timely and professional manner.
Call us at (954) 922-2020 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll work with you to recover what can be recovered while ensuring that you have the support you need during the process. We partner with Green Sky for financing options to help you recover quickly from fire damage in Miami Beach and other home improvement projects.
An independent franchise business licensed to serve you by ServiceMaster Restore®.