Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved American holidays. It’s traditional for families and loved ones to gather during this day and partake in a feast. With everyone busy helping with cooking and other preparations, it’s easy to overlook circumstances and hazards that may develop into accidents later on. No one certainly wants to be interrupted in the middle of a meal!
To prevent spoiling your Thanksgiving dinner, here are some practical tips from the experts at ServiceMaster Restore.
Takeaway
Thanksgiving is almost here. Don’t let a fire spoil your celebration! Have a fire escape plan, inspect your fire alarms, decorate safely, never leave the kitchen while cooking, keep flammables away, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Thanksgiving Fire Statistics
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day in 2023, a staggering 388% increase compared to the daily average. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve were ranked as the second and third most common days for home cooking fires.
Between 2019 and 2023, cooking accounted for 80% of home fires on Thanksgiving and caused 40% of civilian injuries, though no deaths were reported. Overall, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires and injuries in the United States, as well as the second leading cause of home fire fatalities. The main factor behind these incidents is unattended cooking, which continues to be the top contributor to both home cooking fires and fire-related deaths.
How to Prevent Thanksgiving Fires
- Have a fire escape plan. Prepare your very own emergency plan if you don’t have one yet, and communicate it to family members and guests. Make sure that exits are unobstructed and marked.
- Check your fire alarms. Replace batteries annually and test your fire alarms every month to ensure they are working properly. Do this before Thanksgiving Day.
- Watch over your pets. Your pets may display unusual behavior in the presence of guests. Consider keeping them in a separate room.
- Use safe decorations. Use battery-operated candles and tested-and-approved electric lights. Check for loose connections and frayed wires before setting your lights up.
- Drink responsibly. If you serve alcohol, make sure to consider guests that need to drive after the party. Make sure everyone has a sober driver, a ride-sharing service, or a taxi service they can call if they don’t have one.
- Wear proper cooking gear. Loose clothing can cause accidents and fires.
- Never leave the kitchen while cooking. Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen at all times until all cooking activities are finished. Unplug all cooking equipment and appliances after use.
- Thaw the turkey completely before frying. Nothing spells disaster more than frying wet or frozen turkey. Do not stuff the turkey that you want to fry and make sure to follow all instructions indicated in your turkey fryer’s manual.
- Clean often. Grease buildup is fuel to a fire.
- Keep children at a safe distance. Children must at least be three feet away from the stove. Keep matches, utility lighters, and other potentially hazardous items in a storage space away from children’s reach.
- Keep flammables away. Remove food packaging, mitts, potholders, and other flammable items away from any heat source, such as open flames or heaters.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. There is a specific extinguisher for every type of fire. Make sure to keep one or two close by.
- When a fire becomes uncontrollable, leave the building. Some fires cannot be contained by a fire extinguisher. Once you’ve evacuated the property and ensured everyone else’s safety, call your local fire department right away and inform them if anyone is trapped inside. Do not return to a burning house once you’ve left it.
Are Smoke and Soot After a Fire Dangerous?
Yes. Smoke and soot after a fire can be extremely hazardous, not just to your property but to your health. Even after the flames are out, microscopic soot particles can settle on furniture, walls, ceilings, and air ducts, releasing toxic substances that contaminate indoor air. Breathing these particles can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs and may worsen asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Soot also contains harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and benzene, which can linger long after a fire. Over time, these residues can corrode metal surfaces, discolor walls, and permanently damage electronics and fabrics.
That’s why professional cleaning is critical. ServiceMaster Remediation Services uses specialized equipment and advanced techniques to remove soot, neutralize smoke odors, and restore a safe indoor environment. Our experts identify hidden contamination and ensure your property is properly cleaned and deodorized, protecting both your home and your health with professional Pompano Beach soot and smoke removal.
What to Do When a Fire Breaks Out
When a fire starts, every second matters. Staying calm and acting quickly can save lives and minimize damage.
If a fire breaks out:
- Alert everyone and evacuate immediately. Don’t try to collect valuables. Get to safety first.
- Activate the fire alarm and call 911 as soon as you’re in a safe location.
- Do not use water on grease or electrical fires. Use a Class B or multipurpose fire extinguisher if trained and it’s safe to do so.
- Close doors behind you to slow the spread of flames and smoke.
- Do not re-enter the building until firefighters declare it safe.
Once the fire is out and your property is secure, contact ServiceMaster Remediation Services right away. Our certified technicians provide 24/7 emergency fire, soot and smoke removal Pompano Beach, FL, and nearby areas in Broward and Palm Beach Counties to help you recover quickly and safely.
Disasters Do Not Pause for the Holidays. Neither Do We.
The holidays are for having fun, but accidents can still happen no matter how careful or prepared you are. When disasters strike, we got your back!
ServiceMaster Remediation Services is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (954) 969-5906. We are the first responders to fire & smoke damage restoration in Pompano Beach, Florida, and nearby areas.
- Serving South Florida since 1973
- Certified General Contractor (CGC1522819)
- Franchise License Holder for ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning
We are an independently owned business licensed by ServiceMaster Restore. Don’t know what to do next? We do. Schedule an appointment by calling us or sending us a message online.
