Celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving Day is a holiday in which to gather with family and reflect on all the things you’re thankful for while feasting on moist turkey slices and all the trimmings. In addition, many families watch the Thanksgiving Day parade, root for their favorite team, or throw a fun football game. A substantial amount of electricity is often used as the turkey dinner is cooked, highlighting the importance of ensuring safety in your kitchen and contacting a certified electrician about home electrical safety inspections.
Safely Cook Your Turkey
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there have been 216 turkey-fryer-related accidents between 1998 and 2018, with millions in property damage losses. The CPSC adds that a turkey fryer can cause a fire in minutes and, along with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), discourages using these appliances at home and urges consumers to choose safer alternatives for deep-fried turkey.
Keep an Eye on Your Stove/Oven
The NFPA reports that Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires, as U.S. fire departments responded to 1,630 incidents in 2018. In second- and third-leading places were the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, respectively. The NFPA adds unattended cooking was a contributing factor in a significant percentage of these fires. Therefore, it is best to limit distractions in the kitchen to prevent cooking fires, continually attending to the dishes you’re cooking on the stove-top or in the oven. Equally important is having an electrician install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in your kitchen and other areas where moisture is present.
Test Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
One of the most crucial things you can do to prepare for Thanksgiving is test all the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. To test these safety devices, press the “test” button, holding for a few seconds until they emit a beeping noise. In addition to testing these each month, the batteries should be replaced semi-annually, and the devices replaced every ten years. The NFPA encourages having a certified electrician install these lifesaving safety devices outside and inside each bedroom on every level of your home.
Consult a Certified Electrician about Safety Inspections
The National Fire Protection Association reports that electrical failures and malfunctions were the second leading cause of home structure fires between 2012 and 2016. Two out of five incidents involving electrical issues occurred from November to February. Consulting a certified electrician like A&H Electric about a residential electrical safety inspection is an excellent way to identify potential issues, so they may be effectively corrected, providing incredible peace of mind going into the holidays.
With over thirty years of experience in Conroe, TX, A&H Electric Co. is your source for local electrical service, repair, and installation. We offer a suite of commercial and residential electrical services, including but not limited to electrical safety inspections and system upgrades, with all work performed by a certified electrician.
Our certified electricians can troubleshoot, repair, service, install your electrical system Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are also proud to provide 24-hour emergency repair for when the unexpected happens. To schedule an electrical service appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact A&H Electric at (936) 756-0442.
A&H Electric Co. would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!
We’re Hiring! A&H Electric Co. is currently looking to fill several open positions for technicians skilled in residential and commercial electrical services. We maintain a staff of personnel that provides quality workmanship and ensures customer satisfaction. If you are interested in joining our team, please fill out our online job application; you can also print and fax it to us at (936) 756-0443.
Resources:
Ahrens, Marty. “Home Cooking Fires.” National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), July 2020.
“Gobble Up Safety on Thanksgiving Day!” United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), November 15, 2018.
McKelvey, Susan. “Keep fire safety top of mind when preparing your feast this Thanksgiving, the peak day for U.S. home cooking fires.” National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), November 18, 2020.
“Smoke Alarms are Important.” National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.