National Fire Prevention Week: Prevent Kitchen Fires

Now that we’ve entered the fall season, you might find yourself spending more time indoors, which also means more time spent cooking at home. According to the American Red Cross, cooking is the number one cause of home fires. So in honor of National Fire Prevention Week, we’ve put together a list of tips to help you keep your family safe from kitchen fires:

1. Always tend to cooking - Leaving your food unattended can be a fire hazard waiting to happen, so stay in the kitchen when using the stove top, oven, or microwave. And if you must leave the kitchen, make sure to turn these appliances off - even if it’s only for a minute.

2. Keep it kid friendly - When cooking in the kitchen, ask your kids to stay away from the stove - especially if they’re playing. Tell them why it’s important and how being too close can increase risk of accidents.

3. Wipe up grease - It’s easy for grease to accumulate on your stove and countertops, which can be a threat to your home if it catches flame. But you can prevent buildup by cleaning all your cooking surfaces on a regular basis.

4. Install a smoke alarm - If you don’t have one already, now is the time to install a smoke alarm in your kitchen. In doing so, you have a better chance of stopping a flame from spreading if anything happens. Once your smoke alarm is installed, be sure to test it each month and replace batteries as needed.

5. Purchase a fire extinguisher - It’s a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-reach place in or near the kitchen. Call your local fire department to learn how to properly use one in case of an emergency.

At Nassau Plumbing & Sewer Rooter, we understand how crucial it is to take precaution when it comes to matters like house fires. That is why we are here for all your plumbing needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To learn more about how we can help you keep you and your family safe, give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website. 

National Bath Safety Month: Preventing Dangers

January is National Bath Safety Month and a perfect time to share a few ways you can prevent danger in and around your bathtub. From small children to seniors - staying safe from potential hazards in the bathroom starts with smart choices and small safety implementations.

Get started with these few tips today:

1. Use slip resistant bath mats only. Throw rugs might look nice but can also cause one to slip and fall. Non-slip backed bath mats help to ensure your family's stability in the bathroom.

2. Keep the bathroom floor dry. We're all guilty of flooding the bathroom floor each time we shower. The danger here, however, is when someone else walks in for a different purpose they might not be expecting a slippery floor. Always wipe floors dry each time you bathe, use the sink, etc.

3. Incorporate grab bars or rails. Installing something you can hold onto in the bathroom could be helpful for people of all ages. They can help you catch your bathroom if you skip a step in the shower.

4. Keep your bathroom well lit. Sharp edges and hard objects can cause unnecessary bruises on dark days or through the night. Since the bathroom is a room in our home we use at all hours, make sure to supplement lighting with nightlights and a separate ceiling light over the bath or shower.

5. Keep your water heater set at 120 degrees. You might like a warm and toasty shower but you don't want one that unexpectedly burns you either. To make sure the temperature can't accidentally rise to dangerous levels, keep your water heater set a bit low.

Which safety tips will you implement in your bathroom? Let us know on our Facebook page!

New York Plumbing and Sewer is available 24/7 for plumbing emergencies, repairs and more. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.