Stay safe this holiday season

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires can destroy a home, play it safe this holiday keep a close eye on all your holiday cooking

The holiday season is upon us and our ovens and stoves are going to be used more often than any other time of the year. Our gatherings may be different this year than previous years but they still can bring joyous lasting memories. We here at SERVPRO want to encourage safety and habits to help the memories be the happy holiday kind.  This holiday season please remember to practice safety while cooking. In a study between 2013-2017, 27% of reported fires occurred in homes. Most home fires and fire casualties result from five causes: cooking, heating, electrical distribution and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials. Sadly, 79% of fire related deaths and 73% of all fire-related injuries occurred from home fires. Remarkably, US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 354,400 home structure fires per year, which resulted in an annual average of 2,620 civilian deaths, 11,220 civilian fire injures, and $6.9 billion in direct property damage. Over the five-year period of 2013-2017, cooking was the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Be sure to follow fire safety tips such as installing smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas. Test these smoke alarms every month. Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year. If a fire occurs in your home, get out, stay out, and call for help.