Most people associate Memorial Day with barbecues, fireworks, and family, or focus on the importance of the holiday to America and its military families. However, the holiday also marks the beginning of a season when accidental fires become much more likely. Make sure to take these steps to protect yourself and your family against an accidental fire this Memorial Day:
- Never leave fires unattended
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- Whether you are cooking or simply out camping, you should always ensure fires are carefully monitored. If you leave a fire unattended, you risk that it will go out of control and start an accidental fire when no one is around to stop it.
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- Keep flammable materials away from open fires
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- You should keep any potentially flammable material far away from fire, whether it is your stove, a grill, or a campfire. This includes cloth, paper, wood, or cooking oil, as well as anything else likely to catch fire.
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- Put out cigarettes in ashtrays
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- Cigarettes are a shockingly common cause behind accidental fires, including house fires and wildfires. To avoid this danger, make sure to dispose of cigarettes safely in ashtrays, which are at much less risk of starting an accidental fire.
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- Avoid overloading electrical sockets
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- Electrical fires are among the most dangerous types of fires, and they are often caused by people overloading electrical sockets with too many devices. Even if you have a power strip or other device that allows you to plug multiple electronics into the same outlet, you should limit how much you actually plug in.
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- Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
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- Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors may be the first and only warning you have of an accidental fire in your home. Make sure to keep these tested, and replace any batteries if necessary to ensure they function when they need to.
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- Keep a fire extinguisher on hand
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- A fire extinguisher is essential for putting out certain types of fires that cannot easily be put out by other means, such as grease fires. Keeping one on hand can mean the difference between quickly putting out an accidental fire, and potentially losing your home.
Anytime your home or other dwelling has been ruined or severely damaged, it is essential that you protect your property and the interest of your investment by enlisting the services of a Rubin and Rosen public adjuster. We can provide the assistance you need by helping you to work through the entire insurance process. If you want to make a property insurance claim and need assistance to obtain fair compensation for your losses, please give us a call at 718-376-6800 or visit our contact page.