Tips For a Fire-Free Holiday Season | SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex

12/1/2023 (Permalink)

The holiday season is upon us! SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex has your back with these helpful fire safety tips this winter.

Happy holidays, everyone! However you celebrate and whatever holidays you observe with your family, you are most likely gearing up for parties, gatherings and celebrations with your loved ones. That also means you are probably planning to spend some time in the kitchen making food to bring with you!

Kitchen fires are the leading cause of house fires in our community, especially during the winter season. Taking steps to reduce your risk can help you stay in control and avoid serious fire damage during one of the best times of the year. 

Preparing a Safe Work Area
Having a safe work station is always crucial, especially when you are using heat to cook. Start by removing as many flammable items away from your burners and oven and clear any clutter from your floor. 

Put away pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils and kitchen towels if you are not actively using them and try to limit who is allowed to be in the kitchen while you work. A single accident from a curious child or a clumsy pet can have serious consequences. 

In addition, you should be dressing responsibly in the kitchen as well. Loose apron strings, long sleeves and holiday attire can quickly catch on fire if they get too close, so avoid loose-fitting clothing and be sure to roll up your sleeves. 

Watch Your Pans
Don’t leave the kitchen for any reason while you have food on the stove or in your oven. Grilling, frying, boiling and baking all carry fire risk, and even stepping away for a moment can be enough for a spark to catch and spread.

If your holiday traditions include deep-frying a turkey or other meat, do so with extreme caution. Partially frozen turkeys can react poorly with the oil or an overfilled fryer drum can quickly become a massive fire issue. Set up your fryer on a level surface and have one person be responsible for the entire cooking process.

Get Ready For the Unexpected
We all know that fires aren’t always preventable, but you can still take some preventive steps to help reduce your risk. Installing smoke alarms on every level of your home and checking the batteries often will ensure you are alerted to any developing situation. Make sure the one near your kitchen is working before you get started.

You should also have a lid or cookie sheet nearby that you can quickly toss over the top of a pan that catches fire. Smothering kitchen fires is always recommended. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, now is the time to go out and get one. Store it in an easily accessible area so everyone can get to it quickly.

Happy holidays from our team to you! We hope you have a wonderful season, and remember that we are always here for you if you do suffer from fire damage. We will help you recover faster so you can get back to your festivities ahead. 

House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!