Cooking & Gas Fire

December 17, 2024

5 Holiday Safety Tips to Keep You and Your Loved Ones Injury Free

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The holidays are a joyous time, and while there is much fun to be had, there are also safety concerns to think about. There is always an increase in traffic this time of year, with people traveling, shopping, and running around to holiday parties and events. It is important to take safety precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe this season, so our Florida Injury Lawyers have compiled a list of 5 safety tips to keep in mind as you are out and about celebrating.

Drive Responsibly

Congested roads with people rushing to get where they need to go can be a recipe for disaster. Please try to remember to:

July 1, 2024

Make Sure You Keep a Lookout on Your Cookout this Fourth of July | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Whittel & Melton’s Florida Injury Lawyers want to ensure that everyone uses grills safely this holiday weekend and throughout the rest of the summer. Grill fires are most common in July, with June, May, and August following closely behind.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 64% of American homes have at least one outdoor grill, smoker, or barbecue. Grills that run on gas cause more fires than those that run on charcoal. Grills are the primary cause of 10,200 home fires annually. Fire departments across America responded to 11,421 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues on average between 2017 and 2021; these included 5,763 building fires and 5,659 outdoor fires. Approximately one-fifth, or 20%, of reported grilling fires were caused by a dirty grill. More than 25% of grill building fires originated from an open porch or balcony outside. From 2017-2021, grill-related injuries sent 22,155 patients to ERs annually on average. Thermal burns, which include burns from fire and contact with hot objects, accounted for nearly half (10,342 or 47%) of the injuries.

When grilling hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, chicken, or tofu, poblano peppers, or whatever your heart desires this 4^th of July, please remember to keep your eye on your grill. It can be easy to get distracted when you have company over, but you do not want a burn injury or fire to ruin your good time.

November 22, 2023

Deep Frying a Turkey for Thanksgiving? Know How to Use a Fire Extinguisher | Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Frying turkeys did not seem to be a thing until a few decades ago, but it is now viral. Indeed, it can also be hazardous.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, Thanksgiving is a peak day for house fires due to all the home cooking.

For your safety on Thanksgiving, consider the following advice:

When cooking, remain in the kitchen. It will allow you to monitor the situation should things go awry.
Stay at home while you prepare the turkey, and be sure to monitor it as cooking time progresses. Do not be tempted to sneak away to the neighbor’s house for a two-hour glass of wine or get wrapped up in a three-hour phone call with your Aunt Linda in Chicago.
When hot foods and liquids are prepared on Thanksgiving, keep children away from splash/splatter zones. Hot steam and scorching surfaces have the potential to cause severe burn injuries.
Do you have functional smoke alarms? Verify that they are by checking them–everything should be working if you hear an ear-piercing shriek from them.
Turkey fryers require a lot of oil and very high cooking temperatures, which may result in severe burns. In case you were unaware, fryers that do not need oil exist.

Have You Used A Fire Extinguisher Before?

Remember the PASS method (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep) when using a fire extinguisher.

Take the pin out. The seal will be broken as a result.
Aim low, at the fire’s base.
Apply pressure on the handle.
As you spray, move your hand side to side at the fire’s base.

May 25, 2023

Kickoff Your Summer Safely with these Backyard Safety Tips for Memorial Day | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer for many Americans. Beer will be flowing, and barbecue grills will be lit. While most Memorial Day celebrations are enjoyable and safe events, accidents do occasionally occur and people get hurt. If you are hosting or attending a Memorial Day party, our Florida Personal Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have some helpful advice for you.

Memorial Day Safety Tips for the Party Hosts

Adult supervision: During your barbeque, appoint a rotating team of one to three adults to keep an eye on kids playing, especially close to the grill or fire pit. Stop any dangerous activities before they start, like jumping off patio furniture and marshmallow roasting stick sword fights.

Grills: To minimize burn injuries, place grills about 10 feet away from people. Furthermore, one of the primary causes of barbeque fires is leaning your bag of charcoal against the grill; refrain from doing this. After you have finished grilling, let the coals cool for a while before pouring water on them. You can view more tips on grilling here: Grill Tips

Standing water: Backyards may have standing water areas. Standing water is a mosquito breeding ground and a slip and fall hazard. Of course, empty any containers that have water, including the tarp that covers any backyard boats that may have collected rainwater. Place temporary ground covers or just rope off portions of your yard that have standing water.

Pets: While your precious pup may not hurt a fly, sometimes large crowds can cause them to exhibit erratic behaviors. Secure pets in areas where kids and even adults will not be in danger.

Swing sets and other outdoor play equipment: Swing sets should be anchored and level. You will want to inspect tree houses and other play structures for any cracks, holes, or exposed hardware that could cause injury. If you have a trampoline, make sure it is anchored securely before you allow any jumpers inside. An adult should always supervise jumpers.

Swimming pools: Make sure you have adults always supervising tiny swimmers. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4, so keep this in mind. Make sure you have fences, alarms, and covers for your pool and keep all chemicals locked away. Flotation devices do not prevent drowning, so you still need to supervise children who are wearing floaties. Do not run around the pool. Tell kids to refrain from pushing or dunking people in the pool, as well as playing any hold your beath underwater games. If there is bad weather, like lightning, then get out of the pool immediately.

Memorial Day Safety Tips for the Party Guests

You should take precautions to avoid getting hurt when you are celebrating Memorial Day on someone else’s property. Here are some common reasons slip and fall and trip and fall accidents occur:

Wet or slick floors
Unsecured carpets or rugs
Cracked or broken sidewalks
Cracked or broken stairs
Extension cords that are loose

If you or a loved one is harmed in an accident this Memorial Day weekend, then you need to get medical care as soon as possible. Once your injuries have been handled by a medical professional, then you should contact our Florida Personal Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton. We can help you pursue financial compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other damages.

Sometimes an unsafe accident scene does not necessarily indicate that the property owner was careless. As the injured party, you must establish that the property owner was aware of the harmful condition yet did nothing to address it. Our attorneys have a wealth of knowledge demonstrating that property owners failed to take reasonable safeguards and endangered visitors.

You can contact us online 24/7 or you can call us any time of the day or night at 866-608-5529. Your consultation with us is always free. Continue reading

July 1, 2021

Avoid Injuries This Fourth of July | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

July Fourth weekend is upon us and there may be no better way to spend the summer holiday than surrounded by your family and friends taking in fireworks, grilling, swimming, or even boating in one of Florida’s abundant waterways. As most COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, this year’s Fourth of July festivities will be in full swing. As you and your family/friends prepare for a fun-filled weekend, our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton urge you to also think about your safety and plan accordingly. Here are some tips for staying safe this holiday weekend:

#1: Fireworks Should Be Left to Professionals

Sparklers and other common fireworks can be quite dangerous when used incorrectly. Sparklers are usually thought to be harmless, but did you know that these handheld fireworks can reach smoldering temps of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit? Such high temps can easily lead to severe burn injuries, especially for children handling these without supervision. We want you and your loved ones to remain safe this Fourth of July, so please take in a professional fireworks show instead of attempting to light your own fireworks.

May 24, 2018

Cooking Oil Results in Winter Haven Apartment Fire

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Cooking oil left out on the stove resulted in a fire in a Winter Haven apartment building, leaving several families without a home.

Four apartments were evacuated, and power company TECO cut electricity to the building.

The blaze was contained to the single apartment that caught fire, but others incurred water and smoke damage.

There were no injuries, but a dog that was rescued from a second-floor balcony was taken to a veterinarian as a precaution.

About three dozen firefighters responded to the scene.

If you like to deep fry with oil or cook with grease to prepare your meals, you are certainly not alone. While these are effective methods that often result in tasty meals, many dangers can arise out of these cooking techniques. Home chefs must take extra precautions when using oil or grease to prepare their meals.

As this article shows, using oil for cooking or frying can be very dangerous. More than 40 percent of range or stove fires begin as a result of cooking oil ignition. Another 25 percent of all home fires get started by fat or grease. When cooking with oil or grease, not all risks can be avoided, but being prepared can greatly reduce the likelihood of injury.

November 20, 2017

Thanksgiving No. 1 Day For Home Cooking Fires

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and that means family and friends coming together to enjoy food and one another’s company. It is also the leading day for U.S. home cooking fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association’s latest “Home Fire Involving Cooking Equipment” report, nearly four times as many home cooking fires occurred on Thanksgiving Day in 2015 as on any other typical day of the year. The day before Thanksgiving represents the second-leading day for home cooking fires.

Between 2011 and 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an annual average of 170,200 home structure fires involving cooking equipment, which resulted in 510 fire-related deaths, 5,470 fire-related injuries, and $1.2 billion in direct property damage. Unattended cooking is, by far, the top contributing factor in home cooking fires and fire-related fatalities.

Between 2011 and 2015, cooking equipment was involved in almost half of all reported home fire incidents. Cooking fires caused 20 percent of home fire deaths, and accounted for 45 percent of the reported home fire injuries.

It is very easy to get distracted at Thanksgiving due to the fact that most people are cooking multiple dishes and trying to entertain guests. You may easily be prompted to walk away from the kitchen or forget something is cooking on the stovetop or in the oven. However, just one simple mistake can increase the likelihood of a cooking fire.

Fortunately, there are many simple steps you can take to greatly reduce the risk of cooking fires on Thanksgiving and beyond. The following are NFPA tips and recommendations for cooking safely:

Stay in the kitchen when cooking to keep a close eye on the food, especially when frying with oil.
Use a timer to keep track of cooking times. Check the stove or oven frequently. Consider putting timers in different rooms so that you can hear them over music, football games, and party chatter.
Stay alert and focused when cooking. To help minimize the risk of injury, avoid cooking when drinking alcohol or if you’re tired.
Keep things that can easily catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers and towels away from the cooking area.
Kids should stay 3 feet away from stovetops, as well as from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, or gravy could cause serious burns.
Frying turkeys at Thanksgiving has become increasingly popular. However, NFPA discourages the use of turkey fryers, as they can lead to devastating burns, other injuries, and the destruction of property due to the extensive amount of hot oil used with fryers. If you prefer fried turkey, check out your local grocery stores, specialty food retailers and restaurants that sell deep fried turkeys.

June 30, 2016

Be Safe This Fourth Of July Weekend

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton would like to wish everyone a very happy Fourth of July! The Fourth of July holiday is usually centered around fun, and many of us celebrate the long weekend with friends and family, but like many other holidays, risks of accidents and injuries tend to increase during this time.

To help you keep yourself and your loved ones safe this weekend, we would like for everyone to review the below safety tips:

Firework Safety

Many people around the state of Florida want to light of a few fireworks of their own, regardless of the fact that Florida law prohibits any fireworks that fly through the air or explode — such as Roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars — for recreational use. If you plan to light off your own, remember these important tips:

Always follow instructions and never provide fireworks to small children.
Use fireworks in a safe area and never throw or point fireworks toward people, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials.
Do not light multiple fireworks at once and never attempt to relight a “dud” firework that did not go off the first time.

Drunk Driving

Sadly, drunk driving accidents, injuries, and deaths are consistently high during Fourth of July weekend. If you plan on celebrating ‘Merica’s Birthday with a few cocktails, make sure to drink responsibly or plan a safe ride home. Designate a sober driver, or call a cab or transportation service like Uber or Lyft. Remember, law enforcement officers will be on the lookout for drunk and/or drugged motorists.

Grilling Safety

Barbecues are always a Fourth of July staple. Did you know that numerous people suffer injuries when barbecuing on charcoal and gas grills? Make sure to never grill indoors, refrain from adding lighter fluid when charcoal has already been ignited, and always follow instructions.

Water Safety

It’s hot in Florida! Most Floridians and visitors to our state will be by the beach, lake, or enjoying the water at backyard pool parties this weekend. When having fun near or in the water, safety should be your top priority. Adults should always supervise children and you should drink responsibly, as well as have an emergency action plan in case something goes awry.

November 23, 2015

Be Safe in the Kitchen This Thanksgiving

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

If you are like most Americans, you will likely be spending numerous hours in the kitchen over the Thanksgiving holiday. Unfortunately, that increased activity also leads to more chances of residential home fires, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association. According to reports, the Thanksgiving holiday sees three times the nation’s daily average in emergency fire accidents. Research shows that fires originating in the kitchen are the top reason for home fires and burn injuries. Last year, fire departments throughout the country replied to a median of almost 156,000 fires resulting from cooking mishaps, which led to 390 deaths and 4,800 injuries, not to mention a whopping $771 million in property damages.

Keeping all this in mind, please follow a few simple fire prevention safety steps this Thanksgiving holiday when you and your family are in the kitchen:

Keep items away from the stove or oven that may catch fire, including cloth mitts, wood items, and any kind of packaging. Other potential fire hazards to watch out for are rags or towels, aprons, clothes, and even drapes.
Never leave the stove or oven unattended, even if you are walking away for a few seconds. Turn the heat off whenever you leave the room. Many fires start because an oven or stove is left unsupervised for a very short amount of time.
Use timers to stay on top of cooking schedules and to avoid burning accidents that can result in fires.
If you do happen to start a small fire in a pan or oven, immediately cover it with a metal or glass lid and turn the heat off. If it does not extinguish after 30 seconds, call the fire department for immediate assistance.

February 26, 2015

GE to Pay $3.5 Million in Civil Penalties for Failure to Report Fire Hazards

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, General Electric has agreed to pay a $3.5 million civil penalty for failing to report an unreasonable risk of serious injury caused by defective ranges and dishwashers.

Reports show that the connector in the range’s wire harness can overheat and cause a fire, which could lead to serious burn injuries. In addition, various models of dishwashers were recalled because of similar fire hazards. The CPSC said the dishwashers could short circuit when condensation builds up on the control board.

Standard CPSC policy requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to report any findings related to a potential safety hazard or defect to the CPSC immediately. All information regarding potential risks or dangers should be reported within 24 hours of obtaining it.

GE and the CPSC announced the recall of 28,000 dual-fuel ranges in April 2009. The ranges were sold across the United States from June 2002 through December 2005. By the time GE recalled the product, 13 incidents had been reported regarding the harness and wiring overheating in the back of the range. Of these reported incidents, five resulted in a fire.

GE was apparently aware of this hazard dating back to 2004. GE also failed to report the fire hazards found in Profile and Monogram Dishwashers sold between July 2003 and October 2010. GE recalled 174,000 units in 2010 but knew of several incident reports dating back to 2007.

Besides the payment of $3.5 million, GE has also agreed to a compliance program as part of the settlement. The compliance program will be set up to ensure that the Consumer Product Safety Act is being met, as well as various protocols, including:

Proper procedures for recording, processing, and reporting information regarding possible safety issues
Written standards and policies
Confidential employee reporting of compliance concerns to a senior manager
Senior management is responsible for and general board oversight of compliance
Requirements for record retention