This year we all come back to the table because all travel restrictions have finally been lifted. Going back to our normal celebrations will prompt a need to review all safety measures to be taken when we are hosting parties or events at home.
Thanksgiving, as we know is a BIG cooking event, and hostesses must ensure that ovens, stoves, fire pits, candles and every other risk around the house is carefully placed and closely monitored— especially when there are young kids and pets enjoying the day with us. According to the National Fire Protection Association— cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and it causes an estimated average of 172,900 home fires per year.
Learning the facts related to fires initiated in the kitchen or cooking areas will help you stay smart at times of celebration, and safe from fires.
- 93% of residential cooking fires in 2019 were small and contained. (USFA)
- 70.3% of people own or have access to a fire extinguisher. (The Zebra)
- 19% of people don’t have a fire evacuation route in place if a house fire starts in their home. (The Zebra)
- Fireworks caused an estimated 19,500 fires in 2018. (Insurance Information Institute)
- Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking fires: In 2018, U.S. fire departments responded to about 1,630 fire calls. (Insurance Information Institute)
- Once a fire starts, occupants have three minutes to get out of the house safely. (NFPA)
- 54% of homes that reported a home fire from 2014 to 2018 had an operating smoke alarm; 26% did not have a smoke alarm at all. (NFPA)
The following are the top ten safety tips provided by the National Fire Prevention Association:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
At Orlando Insurance Center, we also recommend that you review your homeowners insurance policy (if you haven’t during Hurricane Season) to make sure any recent changes, or adjustments have been made to meet your coverage needs at its best.
Talk to our local experienced agents at Orlando Insurance Center and let them know what your needs and priorities are. You will be presented with options from multiple insurance companies, and be able to compare rates as well as coverage to then determine your path to provide the best protection for you and your family. Give us a call today at (407) 680-1214— for an initial consultation and quotes from among 20 different insurance carriers who support us!
Gloria Rivera, 2-20 Agent
LICENSED AGENT
RENEWAL DEPARTMENT
"Email me" <gloria [at] orlandoinsurancecent [dot] er [dot] co>