Safety tips for a safe Thanksgiving

11/7/2024 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to keep your kitchen & home safe during the holidays.

As Thanksgiving approaches (exactly 3 week away as we're writing this blog!), SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville, Olney and Silver Spring North would like to offer a few important tips on how to keep your home safe during the holidays.

Believe it or not, far too many homes catch on fire during this time of year! Imagine preparing for the holidays just to have flames devour your property over something as small as a turkey. The impact around this time of year (as winter holidays quickly approach following Thanksgiving) is astronomical and quite stressful to say the least.

Yet time and time again, we are called to homes around Thanksgiving to clean up and restore fire damage… all because of a turkey.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, compared to any other day of the year, the number of house fires reportedly doubles on Thanksgiving Day.

We don’t want our friends & customers to have to experience such a catastrophe, especially during the busiest time of your year. 

So, how does the bird cause a fire? Well, these fires usually originate from a deep fryer. The oil used typically spills over the sides of fryer in these instances, and falls into flames beneath. Even vapors can react with the heat, causing a fire.

If your turkey has not been completely dried and thawed, the excess water will cause the oil to bubble and spill down.

Here in the Maryland/DC area, temperatures around the holidays drop. It’s typically quite cold outside. Rain or snow can also factor into the catastrophe. It can cause the oil to splatter.

Due to chilly weather, you might be tempted to shield yourself from the cold weather and fry your turkey in the garage or under your deck. Maybe you have a nice, screened-in deck you’d like to cook inside. Don’t! If your turkey catches on fire, the flames will extend to the ceiling or roof, then spread, engulfing the room and beyond.

Of course we understand people enjoy cooking their special dinner in a propane deep-fryer. So, we are including a few tips to help avoid a fire:

• Make sure your fryer is equipped with a gas valve controller
• While in use, keep your fryer away from children, pets, trees, shrubs, bushes, vehicles, etc. alike
• Your turkey must be completely thawed and dry before placing it in the fryer
• Make sure the fryer in placed on a flat surface
• Do not leave your fryer unattended
• When you notice the oil begins to smoke, turn the propane tank off immediately!
• Have a fire extinguisher handy

We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season. Keep our number handy in the unfortunate event you have a fire in your home or business. 301-340-1313. We're here 24/7 to help!