Florida Insurance Claim Lawyer Blog

The chill is back in the air. That means those old space heaters make a return to keep many warm on these cold nights and mornings.

With the drop in temperatures comes the possibility of an increase in fires for both homeowners and business owners alike. Space heaters are a popular and inexpensive heating option during the cold days of winter. However, they often times also play a role in fire losses during the cold dry days of winter too.

While space heater fires are not common, they could be fatal. Recently, a 62 year old woman was found dead, and the authorities attributed the cause of death to a fire that was started by a space heater.

If you're going to use a space heater, make sure it is fully operational. Check the space heater for frayed wires before turning it on. Never overload a plug socket or use an extension cord for power. And most importantly, never use the portable heating device overnight or unattended.

Here are some other safety tips to consider when using a space heater:

- When buying a heater, look for one that has been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company, such as, Underwriter's Laboratories Inc. (UL).

- Keep the heater three feet away from drapes, furniture or other flammable materials. Place the heater on a level surface away from areas where someone might bump it and knock it over.

- Keep electric heaters away from water. Never use them near a sink or in the bathroom.

Additionally, circuit overloads have also proven to be common winter weather mishaps as homeowners increase their use of electricity, lights and heat during the holidays.

Our firm often times sees an increase in large residential and commercial fires during the winter months that could have easily been prevented.

Frying turkeys during the holidays has recently become very popular all over the country, including right here in South Florida.

The popularity has to do with a number of reasons, including the reduced time needed to cook a turkey in a deep fryer, versus other conventional methods such as an oven or a rotisserie grill.

But another reason it has become so popular, quite simply, is because fried turkey tastes great.

However, with the increased popularity of turkey fryers over the past several years also comes increased risk. Indeed, twice as many cooking related house fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. Not only that, but the fires on Thanksgiving are typically deadlier and more expensive.

While most Americans are counting their blessings, firefighters are putting out nearly 4,300 blazes. On a normal day, 23% of fires take place in residences, but on Thanksgiving, that percentage jumps to 35%. The vast majority of these fires--83%--start on top of the stove or in the oven. These blazes claim more lives than fires on an average day, and cause 25% more property damage.

Additionally, while frying turkeys has become much more prevalent during Thanksgiving, so have the fires associated with turkey fryers. Part of the reason for the increased amount of fires associated with frying a turkey is the equipment used to fry the turkey. The large fryers use gallons of cooking oil, which boils at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. If too much oil is added it can easily boil over--or the fryers can tip--creating the perfect catalyst for a holiday fire that could cause extensive damage, or even death.

From 1998 to 2007, there were 138 reported incidents involving turkey fryers, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. These resulted in 36 injuries and nearly $8 million in property loss.

If you chose to fry a turkey during Thanksgiving, or the holidays, here are some safety tips to follow:

• Only use a container specifically designed to fry turkeys and follow the manufacturer's directions for use.
• Turkey frying is an outdoor activity only. Set the fryer a safe distance away from any building, especially homes and sheds. Do not use a fryer on a wooden deck or inside a garage.
• Never leave a turkey fryer unattended. Remember that you have flammable oil heating over an open flame with no temperature control so don't take any chances.
• Use an oil with a high smoke point like peanut, canola, or safflower oils.
• Before using oil in a fryer, measure how much you will need by placing the turkey in the fryer and adding water until it is 1 to 2 inches over the turkey. Remove the turkey and mark the water line. Use this line to indicate how much oil to use. Remove the water and dry the fryer thoroughly before filling it with oil to the designated line.
• Always use a defrosted turkey. Lower and raise the turkey slowly so the hot oil will not splash.
• The cook should wear gloves, long sleeves and an apron to avoid burns from splashing oil.
• Be sure to keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher near by. Never attempt to put out a grease fire with water!
• Once the turkey is done, turn off the heat source to let the oil cool.
• Be sure to keep kids and pets away from the fryer since the oil will remain hot for hours after use.

Continue reading "Frying a Turkey? Here are Some Tips to Safely Enjoy a Fried Turkey" »

As part of the festivities during the holidays, many engage in culinary activities not normally engaged in during the rest of the year. The use of turkey fryers is one such activity.

Fried turkey has been a longtime favorite in the Southern United States. Indeed, the first time I tried a fried turkey was over 12 years ago while attending Tulane law school in New Orleans.

But frying turkeys has recently become very popular in other parts of the country, including right here in South Florida, because of the reduced time needed to cook a turkey in a deep fryer, versus other conventional methods such as an oven or a rotisserie grill.

But another reason it has become so popular, quite simply, is because fried turkey tastes great.

However, with the increased popularity of turkey fryers over the past several years also comes increased risk. The following Allstate commercial illustrates and speaks to the increased risk of turkey fires during the holidays:

It is true, and we all know it, trouble never sleeps during the holidays. And to some degree, trouble actually increases during the holidays as many engage in new activities, such as frying a turkey.

Indeed, the holidays remains the leading time of the year for home cooking fires. On Thanksgiving alone there are an average 3 times as many cooking fires as an average day, according to statistics by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Therefore, during this holiday season, be safe and leave the frying of turkeys to professionals.

But if you must fry your own turkey, then keep the following safety tips in mind:

* Never leave cooking food unattended.
* Frying food should always be supervised by an adult.
* Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and other material that can burn.
* Never use on wooden decks or in garages.
* Use the fryer outside on a level surface.
* Children should not be permitted near a turkey fryer since hot oil can cause serious burn injuries. Keep children and pets at least 50 feet away.
* Provide a level surface that is free of ignitable materials when using turkey fryers.
* Make sure a fire extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
* Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles.
* Use a thawed turkey.
* Do not fill the fryer past the recommended limit.
* The recommended maximum weight for a fried turkey is 22 pounds.

Our Miami insurance dispute lawyers handle fire claims for homeowners. Our attorneys represented insurance companies before 2006, when we opened a firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of consumers. We understand how insurance companies work. And we have the knowledge and experience necessary to represent homeowners in disputes over an insurance claim.

Continue reading "Use of Turkey Fryers Increase During the Holidays Leading to More Fire Claims - Be Safe!" »