When most people think of Thanksgiving, they picture grandma’s infamous stuffing and your mom’s incredible turkey and gravy. It’s for happy memories and not tragedy and loss. The United States Fire Administration reported that 77 percent of all residential fires on Thanksgiving day originated from the cooking fires. Also, the number of residential fires on Thanksgiving is more than double the fires on any other day. Here are some tips to keep your family and your house safe.
Being Proactive Prevents Many Injuries and Deaths in Fires
Regular maintenance and cleaning in your house reduce the risk of fires. Clean your stovetop and oven to keep grease and dust from accumulating. It’s also critical to routinely test all the smoke detectors in your house. Just press the button to see if they are working. If not, replace the batteries. Smoke detectors save lives all the time because they notify you when they detect smoke from a fire. If you have a smart home security system with professional monitoring for fire and smart smoke detectors your system can send an alert to a central monitoring center. This signal expedites the response of emergency services.
Kitchen Safety While Cooking
Since cooking causes the most fires on Thanksgiving Day, it’s important to practice safety in the kitchen, and don’t let the holiday steal your attention away. Here are some safety tips to remember:
- Keep any knives and sharp utensils out of the reach of kids.
- Make sure the electrical cords of kitchen appliances and electronics don’t hang over the counter where kids can grab them.
- When cooking in the kitchen, whether it’s the turkey or mashed potatoes, stay in the kitchen if possible. If you need to leave, set a timer, so you don’t forget it.
- Keep children away from hot food, the oven, or stove to prevent burns from steam or splashed food.
- Keep the floor cleared of any trip hazards such as toys, bags, pets, or kids.
- Make sure you keep flammable items such as towels, wooden spoons, and oven mitts away from stove, oven, or other hot appliances in the kitchen.
- Turn pan and pot handles inward away from the outer edge or front of the stove, so no one bumps them or pulls them off, spilling hot liquid.
These are just a few tips to remember to keep your Thanksgiving safe and memorable for years to come.
Call the GuardMe Security Team Today
Over time you’ll see significant energy savings thanks to your smart home thermostat. For information on smart home technology that integrates with your security system, contact GuardMe to request a no-obligation consultation.