Holidays can be a time of hosting fun celebrations with family and friends at home. Amidst the holiday cheer, homeowners should take measures to prevent accidents from occurring. According to NFPA, in 2019, the three leading dates for home structure fires caused by cooking were: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Follow some of these holiday hosting tips to prevent accidents from occurring in your home.
Keep an Eye on the Kitchen
During the holidays, the kitchen can become the central point in the home. Be aware of any stovetops and appliances in use which could potentially become a hazard if left unmonitored. Try and steer children away from wandering into the kitchen and keep cooking tools out of their reach.
Properly use Grills and Fryers
Fryers and grills should always be used outdoors, on level ground, and at least 30 feet away from buildings and flammable materials. Use proper tools like oven mitts, potholders, and tongs to handle hot pots or pans. Never leave fryers, grills, or stovetops unattended, as NFPA states: "unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths."
Ask for Help
There can be a long list of to-dos when preparing your home for visits from friends and family. To avoid stress and forgetfulness, ask for help with cooking, cleaning, and decorating. When cooking, it's important to delegate one person to know exactly what's cooking, and when it needs to come out to avoid the possibility of a fire. Avoid taking on too many tasks on your own. It is important to take your time and ask for help so everyone can enjoy the holiday.
Take Proper Safety Measures
Before the festivities begin, test your smoke alarms, and ensure there are fire extinguishers nearby when cooking. Safely prepare your meals by properly thawing meat and using correct temperatures on stovetops and ovens. If an accident does occur, be sure to call 9-1-1 right away.
Review Your Insurance Coverage
It is important to know if you're properly covered should an accident occur. Whether it's a fire or a liability claim, keeping your family and home safe and protected with the proper coverage is Edison Insurance Company's number one priority. Ask your agent how they can help or call us at 866-568-8922.
