AVOID THANKSGIVING DAY HOUSE FIRES

Thanksgiving is a special day to spend time and make memories with those that we love. It happens to be the day we see 3 times as many house fires than any other typical day. Unattended cooking was the leading cause of these fires. As we approach this special day, lets look at ways to keep it safe and full of good memories.
Monitor all appliances- On this very special day, we use all of our appliances simultaneously. Dishwashers going, stoves on, microwaves running, ovens loaded with all sorts of goodies, washer and dryer are loaded to the max. Something can go wrong at any minute. Be alert, and aware of what is all happening. Have family members check on laundry while you are cooking.
Understand fire prevention- Avoid leaving food unattended while it is cooking. Keep towels, rags, oven mits and any other flammable material away from the stove. If you decide to deep fry a turkey, set it up outside, and keep it a minimum of 10 feet away from your home, deck, or any other flammable objects. Keep an extinguisher close by. Be careful when dropping in or removing the turkey from the fryer, as the oil spills and can cause a fire. If a fire starts in your oven, keep the oven door shut, turn off heat, and do not open the door until the fire is completely out.
Clean your oven- A few days before Thanksgiving, take the time to clean your oven. Remove any items that may have fallen, and clean up any spills, which could eventually burn off when cooking the big feast.
Have a plan and be prepared-If you don’t already have a fire extinguisher, grab one while you are at the store. Read the directions so you know how to use it ahead of time. Also have baking soda or salt within reach while cooking in case of a grease fire. You can cover the flames with a metal lid or cooking pan. Do not try to put out using water.
Be alert when burning candles- Who doesn’t love to decorate for the holidays? Candles, festive runners, garland, pine cones galore! These things really add the Thanksgiving atmosphere, however, they are also very flammable, and typically within inches of a burning candle. When you are not able to keep an eye on the flames, keep them unlit until it is time for gather around, and enjoy them.
Avoid using questionable outlets- On Thanksgiving, this is the day we realize a lack of outlets and counter space. If you have an outlet that you have had issues with, AVOID it for the sake of everyone’s safety, and protect your home.
Test your smoke alarms- If you have not checked your smoke alarms lately, it’s a great time to test them, and make sure they are functioning.
Baby proof your kitchen- with large family gatherings, they typically involve children. children love knobs and buttons. If you can keep children away from the kitchen, that may be best. This is a great situation for a baby gate. If that is not an option, assign one member to keeping them busy and out of the area. Keep all knives, matches or lighters out of site, high enough they cant reach.
Keeping children occupied during the holiday cooking process is key to keeping the area safe. Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Games, puzzles or books can keep them busy. Kids can get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen. This will keep you from distractions while cooking.
Whether families are together, or miles apart, we wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! It is time to make more great memories! When mishaps happen, you can trust Crew Construction and Restoration for all of your needs. We are just a phone call away!

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