Tis the season for the family get-togethers, decorating…and kitchen fires. Along with joy and mistletoe, the holiday season brings a spike in kitchen fires. With the hectic pace of preparing for the holidays, your attention can become divided to the point of distraction, increasing the risk of fire damage disasters. In fact, the NFPA states that the United States fires caused by holiday decorations cause an average of $13.4 million in property damage each year.
As you run around navigating this busy holiday season be mindful of the following fire damage prevention tips.
Preventing Fires: Cooking in the Kitchen
If a fire breaks out on your stovetop do not use water to put it out. Smother the fire with a pot lid, use salt, or use a fire extinguisher (especially if grease or oil are involved).
Preventing Fires: Around the House
Fire safety shouldn’t stop at the kitchen. To get in the holiday spirit you may decorate your home for the occasion. Keep these tips in mind while you deck the halls.
If a Fire Does Break Out
If a fire breaks out in your home during the holidays, get out immediately. Most homeowners think they have five minutes of trying to extinguish a fire before they need to vacate the premises. A small flame can turn into a major fire in less than thirty seconds and can double in size every minute thereafter. Typically, fast burning fires are caused by incredibly hot items such as turkey fryers, burning embers from a fireplace, or electrical fires from decorations.
After the fire has been put out by your local fire department contact a local fire damage restoration company to help get your home back to normal so you can enjoy your holiday season.
At Stretch Cleaning & Restoration in LBI, we would like to wish you a joyful and safe holiday season.