We here at the Insurance Paper wish everybody a safe holiday.  It’s a great time to reflect on the year and be thankful for the blessings that we do have, even though trials can be hard to forget. There is always something to be thankful for, just take a second and think.

Along with all this thankfulness, cooking and fellowship we tend to forget how to be safe while doing so.  Our minds are too consumed with hurring to get out the door to a relatives house or cleaning the house if company is coming over.

Let’s keep a couple things in mind to keep the holiday a festive one to remember and not a tragic one.

Insurance Tips for Cooking:

A recent study shows that 40% of house fires start in the kitchen.  This stat increases our odds for a possible devastating Thanksgiving.  Lets keep in mind some of these tips while we are making that fabulous turkey!

• If you need to walk away from your cooking station, find someone to overlook the situation while you step away.
• Keep pot holders, dishtowels, food packaging and clothing away from burners.  This is one of the biggest culprits of a kitchen fire.  Set a 2 foot safe zone around these areas to help prevent such a fire
• Make sure and clean your cookware, cook-tops and range hoods.  Grease and oil buildup can cause a serious fire when such areas get hot.
• Keep Children Away from the cooking area.  Children tend to get under our feet.  This can cause a tripping hazard causing something to spill on the unsuspecting little one. Set up a zone for no children.  I know it’s hard but maybe zone your kitchen as a no children zone.  Good Luck!
• Keep pot lids handy.  When your cooking on the stove and a fire occurs in the pan. Use pot lid, preferably the matching size, and cover it.  Never use water.

Insurance Tips for Driving:

• Do not drink and drive.  Thanksgiving statistically is one of the biggest drinking and driving holidays.  This may seem like common sense but please for my daughters sake don’t drink and drive.
• Defensive Driving.  There will be a lot of cars on the road. Which mean a lot of bad drivers.  Keep in mind that not everyone drives like you.  Be ready for anything to pop out causing a driving hazard.

We are thankful for all the readers out there and supporters making this site a great informational tool for the public.  We wish a great holiday for everybody and don’t forget to be safe!