Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating what we have with our friends and family. It's also a time when the number of home insurance claims goes through the roof. The following safety tips will help lower your risk of fire and possible injury during the upcoming holiday season. Taking a few precautionary measures may save your life and the lives of others. Many fire safety tips can be used all year long.
Reduce your risk of cooking fires by keeping a close eye on your stove while cooking. Never leave your stove unattended, especially if you have small children and pets. If you are cooking over a gas stove, roll up your sleeves and throw away any food wrappers nearby.
If you like to deep fry your Thanksgiving turkey, put your deep fryer outside before you light it. The hot oil could spill or catch fire. This could lead to severe injuries or major damage to your home. Always follow the instructions that come with your deep fryer every time you use it. Leaving things to chance or simply guessing is a recipe for disaster.
Know what type of liability coverage you have. Before you have many people over to your home, make sure you know the limits of your liability coverage. If you have a dog or dogs, make sure your policy covers dog bites. If it doesn't, you may want to purchase a rider that covers dog bites and other related injuries. You may need to talk to your agent to determine what liability limits your policy carriers.
We know to keep flammable materials away from candles. Still, it would be best to remember that fireplaces and space heaters might also have open flames that can cause paper, cloth, and other materials to catch fire. Keep all flammable materials at least three or four feet away from open flame. This can prevent sparks from causing a fire in your home.
Having smoke alarms in your home will save lives. It's important to maintain them, so they continue to work properly. Check the batteries at least every six months and test them every 30 days. Mark it on your calendar for the first of the month, so you remember. If your smoke alarms stop working, replace them immediately. You can buy them at your local hardware store.
It's a good idea to buy a small fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen. Having it close at hand can be a real lifesaver if you have a fire in your kitchen. Small and medium fire extinguishers are usually more than sufficient to eliminate most kitchen fires. If you use your fire extinguisher, make sure to have it recharged or replace it when needed.
Our agents at Graystone Insurance Group would like to extend wishes for a safe and Happy Thanksgiving season to all; our current and future customers! Contact us if you want to learn more about home insurance policies, our professionals will assist you in attaining a suitable plan that meets your needs.
