Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is only a couple days away and we just wanted to take a moment to share a few turkey day cooking tips to help keep you safe for this holiday.

Remember that over 4000 fires start each year on Thanksgiving Day and most of those are due to cooking related accidents.

Before the cooking begins make sure to clean your oven or stove.

Remember that young children and pets love to be under foot while you are cooking and given how extra chaotic Thanksgiving Day can be it’s a good idea to clear a 3-foot safe zone around your oven.

If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, carefully slide a lid on the pan and turn off the burner. If a fire starts in the oven or microwave, keep the door closed. Then, turn off the oven or unplug the microwave as soon as possible. Leave the door closed until the appliance is cooled down. Using water can splatter a cooking fire around the kitchen.

Finally, when it comes to the turkey, remember that turkey fryers can spew hot oil while you’re cooking so be extra careful. Never drop a frozen turkey into hot oil!!!

We thank our friends at the Washington Herald for this information and remind you all to please be extra careful this turkey day and have fun.

If you have any questions regarding your insurance and turkey fire coverage please visit us at http://www.marsinsurance.com/

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Household Tips for Handling Gasoline

Most accidents occur in the summer months due to an increased use of gasoline for farming or recreational purposes (i.e. bonfires, burning leaves, boating, yard work, etc.). A lack of understanding of the explosive nature of gasoline by the general public seems to contribute to both its improper storage and misuse as a solvent, engine primer or fire starter. Gasoline burns decrease markedly in the winter months.

Most injuries associated with these products occur in the home, however, where the improper use and storage of gasoline and other flammable liquids can result in both personal injury and property damage. Knowing how to prevent these injuries can protect you and those you love from a devastating burn injury. The first step to ensure a safer home environment is to increase your awareness and identify potential hazards. The next step is to make the necessary changes in behavior and your environment. Change in the environment and modifying high-risk behaviors involves eliminating the cause of the problem, thereby reducing the risk.

Here are some helpful tips from the American Burn Association on how to handle gasoline with care in household situations:

• Don't smoke, use matches or other ignition sources anywhere around gas. Gas vapors can travel far from gas containers in enclosed areas.



• Use gasoline only in well-ventilated areas.



• Turn off equipment and let it cool before filling the gas tank.



• Never use gas to start the charcoal on a grill. Use a proper charcoal starter.



• Store gasoline in approved containers in a cool, well-ventilated area such as a shed or a garage that is not near the house. Keep only a minimum amount on hand.



• Never use glass or plastic bottles for gasoline storage.

According to a 2000 report by the National Fire Protection Association based on 1993-1998 data, the following are the gasoline-related annual estimates:

Community Fire & Burn Prevention Programs Gasoline Safety Campaign
• Over 140,000 fires, including 120,000 in vehicles (most of them unoccupied, fortunately).
• Over 6,000 residential fires.
• About 500 deaths.
• Thousands of hospital emergency room visits.
• Nearly $500 million in direct property damage costs from gasoline-related fires.

(Source: The U.S. Home Product Report, 1993-1997, Flammable or Combustible Liquids, National Fire Protection Association, Fire Analysis and Research Division, Quincy, MA, August 2000).

Additional information is available from the American Burn Association at http://www.ameriburn.org/

Remember, SAFETY FIRST!!

Keep following Mars Insurance for future blog posts on safety tips, insurance information and general need to know information.