Tag Archive for: fire safety

Fire safety precautions to consider on Thanksgiving

in

 

As you arrange the dinner table and prepare to greet guests on Thanksgiving, consider keeping an eye on the stove because home-cooking fires peak on this national holiday. Every year, thousands of properties catch fire costing millions in damages.

“With statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration suggesting that Thanksgiving fires are directly related to the cooking aspect of the holiday, there are several things hosts can do to eliminate fire hazards,” said Doug Mayhew, President and CEO of OceanPoint Insurance. “One mistake many individuals make is in trying to control the fire, which puts not only themselves at risk, but also the safety of their family.”

Thanksgiving will remain a popular holiday in the United States for many years to come, but OceanPoint Insurance encourages you to read these Thanksgiving fire safety precautions that could help make the holiday a little safer.

Stay close to the stove

With some turkeys taking over four hours to fully cook in the oven, many hosts leave the kitchen to entertain guests. This is one of the leading contributors of fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Although it may seem inconvenient, remember your guests are there to spend time with you and your family so it’s likely they’ll want to join you in the kitchen if you simply ask.

Keep flammable items away

While 72 percent of fires on Thanksgivings can be attributed to cooking, flammable cloths and other fire hazards can exacerbate a fire. Hosts and people near the stove should avoid wearing loose fitting clothes when dealing with flaming pots because clothes can easily catch on fire. Keep an eye out for flammable objects near the stovetop such as towels or wooden spoons as well.

Have a potluck

With hosts cooking multiple dishes at the same time, it’s no coincidence that fires emerge from overcooked food items. Hosts can reduce the chance of a home fire by asking guests to bring in a dish. This allows hosts to place their undivided attention on cooking the turkey. By asking guests to bring in food, they may also feel more involved on this festive holiday.

Make sure all fire alarms are working 

While many homes are equipped with fire alarms, nearly three out of five deaths from home fires occurred in homes where the alarm was not working properly.  If you have to step out of the kitchen on Thanksgiving, a working fire alarm could give you or your guests ample warning to evacuate the home. It’s a small detail worth covering before Thanksgiving that could save someone’s life.

Although most Thanksgiving fires are covered under homeowners insurance, there is no amount of money that can reimburse damaged relationships or loss of life. With Thanksgiving around the corner, OceanPoint Insurance hopes you heed these fire safety precautions to keep your family safe this November. For other ways to protect your family, speak with an OceanPoint Insurance agent at (401) 847-5200 or send us an email at info@oceanpointins.com.

Preventing House Fires This Winter

in

During the cold winter months in New England, there’s nothing better than cuddling up by the fire with your loved ones. Oftentimes, homeowners have to rely on additional heating sources to keep houses warm. Did you know that heating equipment is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire deaths?

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season. Below we have prepared a few simple fire safety tips and precautions that can help keep you and your family safe.

  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, such as the furnace, wood stove, fireplace, or portable space heater.
  • Thousands of fires each year can be attributed to faulty electrical cords. Check your cords for frays and cracks, replacing any that aren’t fit for use.
  • Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Never use your oven as a source of heat.
  • Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
  • Test smoke alarms monthly.
  • When plugging cords into wall outlets, be sure not to overload the circuit. As a general rule of thumb, stick with one plug per outlet.
  • Have a fire extinguisher in every room that has lit candles, space heaters or other potential fire hazards.
  • Have your chimney inspected for buildup, which could cause a dangerous chimney fire.
  • Make sure your portable heaters are in safe working condition before operating them.

At OceanPoint, we want to make certain your family is safe no matter the season. If you have any questions or would like additional information on how to protect your home and your family this winter, call OceanPoint Insurance at 847-5200.