Nothing puts a damper on a Holiday meal like a visit from first responders. To avoid fires and injuries, it is important to put safety measures in place before guests arrive! And don’t worry—these don’t add extra stress to your day or pull you away from guests. These simple Holiday safety tips from Custom Security Systems are just what you need for a stress-free and emergency-free holiday!
Six Holiday Safety Tips For Your Thanksgiving
Don’t let a fire or other safety hazard steal the joy from your holiday season. With just a little extra precaution, you can keep your holiday events running smoothly and without a visit from the fire department. And with the help of our home security and fire alarm systems from Custom Security Systems, you can feel even more secure during the holiday season. These safety tips from a trusted home security company can help to keep your family and holiday plans free from emergencies!
1. Don’t Leave Your Stove Top Unattended
Spending time with company is one of the many joys of Holiday. But, don’t forget about items on your stove or in the oven while you’re busy catching up! Not only could your dish burn, but it can also become a potential fire hazard. Something as simple as setting a timer on your phone or your Amazon Alexa can do the trick. If you still have dishes to prepare after your company arrives, make sure that you or another adult is free to keep an eye on your cooking. And don’t forget to turn off all burners after you’ve finished cooking!
2. Keep Children Away from the Stove and Cooking Utensils
In the midst of holiday excitement, curious children may wander into dangerous situations. Make sure to keep all possible hazards away from roaming hands. Keep handles of skillets and pans turned to the side out of reach. If possible, keep all pots on the back burners of your stove to keep them even further away from small children. And, make sure that an adult is monitoring your pots, pans, utensils, and appliances at all times.
3. Keep Lit Candles in Rooms with Supervision
Fall scents can add to the holiday ambiance, but don’t let a candle go unsupervised! Light candles in rooms where your company will gather. Not only will they get to enjoy the pleasant scent of the candle, but they will also notice if the candle falls, breaks, or ignites other materials in the room. And as with other breakable, sharp, or flammable materials, make sure to set candles out of reach of children. Consider flameless candles as a safe alternative.
4. Test Your Fire Alarms to Make Sure They Are Working
Our home fire system can protect your family from fires and carbon monoxide when you’re home or away! If an emergency strikes, we alert your local fire department for fast assistance. Just make sure that your detector is working. When in doubt, switching to a set of fresh batteries is never a bad idea.
5. Clean Your Oven Before Cooking
Cleaning out any grease or charcoal in your oven doesn’t just prevent unwanted smells from wafting throughout your home. The extra prep can also prevent house fires! Food particles and oil can ignite with the heat in your oven. This can quickly grow out of hand, especially if you are not keeping an eye on your oven. With a little pre-cleaning, you can avoid dangerous fires. And don’t forget to keep an eye on the food in your oven in case any food spills over.
Along with cleaning your oven, make sure that your floor is clear of any items that could cause trips or slips. Area rugs, loose floorboards, or wet spots can be dangerous for those in your house. Keep toys and bags out of walkways to avoid falling. This also makes it easier to vacate the house in case of an emergency!
6. Keep a Fire Extinguisher, Just in Case
It never hurts to have a fire extinguisher on hand. Class B fire extinguishers can be safely used in the kitchen on flammable liquids, like kitchen grease. Keep this stored under your kitchen sink or in your closet for easy access in case of an emergency. And, check your extinguisher monthly to ensure it is still up to date and pressurized. If a kitchen fire breaks out, pull the pin in your extinguisher, aim the nozzle at the fire, and slowly squeeze the level to spray. Move side to side in sweeping motions to catch all of the flames.
But remember: If you attempt to fight the fire, make sure that all other occupants are quickly making their way out of the house. And, make sure that you have a clear path to exit as swiftly as possible. If your fire cannot be controlled, vacate the premises immediately and contact your fire department. Close the door to your oven if this is where the fire is, and close the door to your home to keep the flames from spreading.
Contact Custom Security Systems For an Added Layer of Safety
These Holiday cooking and safety tips can help to protect you and your loved ones this holiday season. For extra safety, get in touch with Custom Security Systems for integrated home security and fire systems! Call us today at 225-927-5535 for a free quote. With our smart systems, you can keep an eye on your home while out of town or rest easy knowing that our 24/7 monitoring services are keeping you safe from fires, home invasion, and more. Contact us today to find the right security systems for your home!