deadly kitchen fires Archives - Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling

Preventing Kitchen Fires During Thanksgiving

November 20, 2012 by admin

Did you know that the top day each year for fires started by cooking equipment? It seems that the combination of families getting together, alcohol, gravy, wrestling a turkey into an oven and more alcohol add up to accidents that result in kitchen fires.

Our business is based on helping people recover from fires and floods, but that doesn’t mean we wish these accidents on anyone. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a quiet Thanksgiving holiday, and to help achieve that goal, we’ve listed these tips that come to you both from all of us at PDR Inland Empire, and also the NFPA: [Read more…]

Dry Conditions Have California Firefighters on Alert, in Tustin and Beyond

January 6, 2012 by admin

This is one of the driest winters on record, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. This is due to the lack of precipitation across the state, which is over 80% lower than normal.

Although the temperatures are dropping at night, temperatures in the Inland Empire have soared above 80 degrees Fahrenheit over the last week. And Southern California may expect this kind of warm weather around the holidays on occasion, the northern part of the state is reeling. Drier than normal conditions combined with windstorms and low humidity have stripped the usually moist vegetation in Northern California, and have increased the fire danger over the last month.

CAL FIRE crews responded to a higher than average number of wildfires for the month of December in 2011. Due to those fires, CAL FIRE has cancelled burn days or even banned debris burning in many areas. (Click here for our blog explaining debris-burning restrictions and guidelines.) They ask that California residents, from north to south, be extremely cautious because of these extremely dry conditions, especially on windy days.

It took 40 firefighters over 30 minutes to put out the fire on Lanai Way in Tustin during the early hours of yesterday morning. Large flames were erupting from the house when firefighters arrived just after 3 a.m. on Thursday, and they worked diligently to keep the trees surrounding the cul-de-sac home from catching fire. Although they prevented the fire from spreading into the trees, it was not easy, as the firefighters had limited access to the back of the house, that also contained an empty pool and fallen electrical wires.

The house appeared to have suffered heavy damage, but luckily the elderly resident was unharmed, said Capt. Marc Stone of the Orange County Fire Authority. With the winds and the dry conditions, this fire could have easily spread through the neighborhood if not for the swift arrival and hard work by the firefighters.

The cause of the fire is yet unknown, but if it is like the elderly couple in Dana Point who both, sadly, perished in a fire in late 2011, it could have been caused by extreme clutter, or perhaps even a kitchen accident. We’ll keep you updated.

If you, or someone you know, was affected by this fire, or one like it, please call us immediately. We are experts in fire and water damage restoration, and we work tirelessly to get displaced families back in their homes as soon as possible. We are also skilled in dealing with insurance companies about damage claims, so we can help get rid of that headache for our clients too. Call now: (877) 732-8471 or use the online form on the right side of the page.

Kitchen Fires: More Frequent and Dangerous Than You Think

September 28, 2011 by admin

Kitchen fires rarely stay contained in the kitchen, and can grow quickly from a small area to encompassing the entire room, if not spread to the rest of the house. Fire Prevention Week is coming up (October 9-15), so we at Paul Davis Inland Empire would like to pass along some tips for fire safety in the kitchen.

The holidays are coming up, and the kitchen becomes the busiest place in the house, with recipes new and old being transformed into reality. One minute away from the stove and that hastily placed pot holder or plastic spoon could catch on fire! Here’s a video from CBS News that shows how quickly a kitchen fire can escalate into something uncontrollable.

More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires, and more than 20,000 are injured—and more significantly, cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S.! It is also the leading cause of injuries, and causes over $900 million in damage, so follow these tips below this holiday season—and every other day of the year.

This one should already be checked off the list, and shame on you if you don’t. We know changing the batteries on a smoke alarm is annoying, but if it can save your life…? Consider installing one of the new 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarms, which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened. Great new product!
Never leave food cooking on the stove unattended—fire can start in just seconds and spread before you can keep it contained.
Double-check the kitchen before you leave the house or go to bed. Make sure all small appliances are turned off, or better yet, unplugged.
Always wear either short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
Don’t cook if you’re under the influence of alcohol, taking medication that causes drowsiness, or are overly tired. This can cause not just fires, but injuries with knives, steam and other kitchen implements.
Never use the stovetop or oven to heat your home.
Keep towels, pot holders and curtains away from flames and heating elements.
Clean cooking surfaces regularly; grease can build up and ignite more easily than you imagine.
Heat oil gradually to prevent burns from spatters.
Use ONLY baking soda or a fire extinguisher, if a fire breaks out during cooking. You can also use a pan lid to smother the fire. NEVER throw water on a cooking fire!
Don’t try to move or carry a pan that contains hot grease, and definitely don’t when it’s on fire. Although this may be your first instinct, it often results in spreading the fire and burns to the person carrying the pan.
Don’t hesitate to call the fire department! Even if you continue to put out the fire with baking soda or a fire extinguisher, even small fires can easily rage out of control in seconds.

Remember: safety first. Make sure every person is out of the house before anything else, even calling 911. If you have fire damage, call us right away on (877) 732-8471 so we can get your life back to normal as quickly as possible. At Paul Davis Restoration, Inland Empire, we pride ourselves on performance, integrity and responsibility—you’ll be in good hands with us!