Thanksgiving Day Brings More Fires Than Any Other Day of the Year

On Thanksgiving Day, many families customarily spend the holiday preparing a feast that will be the highlight of the day. This holiday custom encourages families to get together which results in a whirlwind of commotion within the kitchen while families prepare their feast. With so much going on, it is easy to understand how safety precautions can easily be overlooked

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate and give thanks but it is also the peak day for home cooking fires with three times as many occurring on Thanksgiving as any other day of the year according to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

When most people are sitting down to eat, Rainbow's service professionals are standing by in preparation to respond to emergencies. “While others are enjoying their holiday meal, we are responding to fires and performing emergency board-up security. Black Wednesday and Thanksgiving can turn out to be busy nights for us,” says Rainbow’s President, John Gurtler.

Operating as a property damage restoration company, Rainbow warns people to pay close attention in the kitchen during the holiday season to prevent becoming another fire loss statistic. “Over the last twelve years, we have seen all types of fire losses on Thanksgiving day. Fires originating from within the oven, stovetops, overloaded circuits, and even fires that were the result of candles being knocked over. Deep frying turkeys can also be risky if they are not cooked correctly. We have serviced many fires as a result of the misuse of deep fryers around the holidays,” says Gurtler.

Deep frying a turkey this holiday season? Rainbow International Restoration offers safety tips on how to deep fry a delicious turkey:

• Never leave a fryer unattended.
• Place your fryer in an open area away from all any structures.
• Never use your fryer in, on or under a garage, breezeway, porch, carport or any structure that has the ability to catch fire.
• Have a fire extinguisher in place as a preventative measure.
• Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before cooking. The USDA recommends that it takes 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. Turkey’s that are partially frozen can cause oil splatter when they are added to the hot oil.
• One of the main causes of fire is oil splatter. Be sure to raise and lower food slowly to reduce splatter and to avoid burns.
• Frequently check the oil temperature. If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn the gas supply off.
• Maintain the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cook the turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound which turns out to be about 45 minutes.
• If a fire occurs, immediately call 911 and do not attempt to extinguish the fire with water.

According to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the leading cause of fires are:

• Cooking 51.6% • Heating Equipment 9.1%

• UnintentionalCareless 7.1% • Electrical 6.5%

• Intentional 4.2% • Appliances 3.1%

• Smoking 2.1% • Unintentional7.1%

Additional fire statistics:

· According to the American Red Cross, more fires start in the kitchen than anywhere else in the home.

· The National Fire Protection Association warns that fires can double every five to 10 seconds and can consume a room in just one minute.

· U.S. Fire Administration reports that frying food is the greatest risk of cooking fires.

About Rainbow International Restoration:

EMERGENCY SERVICE LINE: (708) 460-0911

Since 2007, Rainbow has established itself as the leader in property damage restoration within the Chicagoland area. Rainbow provides cleaning, restoration and remediation services to home and business owners. 100% of Rainbow's mitigation, and remediation services are performed by their own certified staff that has passed a thorough background check. They offer financing options and stand behind their services with their satisfaction guarantee; We Will Make It Right!

When your home or business has been affected by property damage, routines are disrupted and the pressure to fix the problem and get the mess cleaned up begins. Rainbow's team of service professionals are here to answer your questions and to provide you with the experience you deserve. For more information on Rainbow International visit www.rainbowrestore.net.