Cornerstone Restoration | Illinois Fire Safety & Emergency Response

Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year — but it’s also one of the most dangerous for house fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day has more home-cooking fires than any other day of the year.

Between deep fryers, overloaded kitchens, space heaters, and busy households, small mistakes can quickly turn into major damage.

Here’s how to keep your home and family safe — and how Cornerstone Restoration can help if a fire does occur..

Most home fires start in the kitchen — especially during the holidays. A few precautions can prevent disaster.

🦃 1. Stay in the Kitchen While Cooking

Most Thanksgiving fires happen because someone steps away “for just a minute.” Even a small distraction can lead to:

• Grease flare-ups

• Oven fires

• Towels or potholders igniting

• Oil spilling onto heating elements

Stay nearby, stay alert, and never leave food cooking unattended.

🍳 2. Keep Flammables Away From Heat Sources

It takes only seconds for something to ignite near a hot burner. Keep these items far from the stove:

🔥 Paper towels

🔥 Oven mitts

🔥 Packaging

🔥 Dish towels

🔥 Wooden utensils

Also ensure children and pets stay a safe distance away.

🦃 3. Be Extremely Careful With Turkey Fryers

Outdoor fryers are one of the leading injuries and fire sources on Thanksgiving.

If you're frying a turkey:

• Fry outside only

• Keep fryer on a level, non-wood surface

• Ensure turkey is fully thawed

• Keep kids and pets far away

• Have a fire extinguisher ready

• Never overfill the oil

  
  

Even one splash can cause a dangerous oil fire.

🔥 4. Check Smoke Alarms Before Thanksgiving

The night before Thanksgiving, do a quick check:

✔ Test smoke detectors

✔ Replace low batteries

✔ Make sure alarms are not disabled

✔ Check CO detectors if you’re using gas ovens

A working alarm can be the difference between a contained incident and a catastrophic loss.

🌡️ 5. Use Space Heaters Safely

If your home is chilly when guests arrive, resist the urge to bring out space heaters unless you can 100% supervise them.

Keep heaters:

➤ 3 feet away from curtains, blankets & furniture

➤ On a flat, stable surface

➤ Away from high-traffic areas

➤ Turned off when you leave the room

Space heaters are responsible for 44% of home-heating fires nationwide.

🔌 6. Don’t Overload Circuits or Outlets

Holiday lighting + cooking appliances + space heaters = a recipe for electrical overload.

Avoid plugging too many appliances into the same outlet or extension cord. If cords feel warm or breakers trip, unplug items immediately.

🧯 7. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy — and Know Which One to Use

Every Illinois home should have a Class ABC extinguisher, which covers:

• Trash

• Wood

• Grease

• Electrical fires

  
  

Never use water on a grease fire — it will make the flames explode outward.

🛠️ If a Fire Happens, Cornerstone Restoration Can Help Immediately

Even a small fire can cause:

• Smoke damage

• Soot contamination

• Water damage from fire suppression

• Damaged roofing or siding

• Broken windows

• Structural issues

• Burned insulation or framing

  
  

Cornerstone Restoration provides fast emergency services across Illinois to secure your home and stop further damage.

Learn more:👉 https://www.restorewithcornerstone.com/emergency-services

Here’s what we can do for you after a fire:

1️⃣ Emergency Board-Up & Tarping

We secure broken windows, damaged siding, roof openings, and structural breaches to keep your home safe from weather, animals, and intruders.

2️⃣ Water & Smoke Damage Mitigation

Fire suppression leaves behind massive water and soot contamination. We provide:

• Water extraction

• Drying & dehumidification

• Smoke odor removal

• Soot cleaning

• Air purification

  
  

5️⃣ Roofing Repairs or Full Roof Replacement

If the fire damaged your roof:

• Burned shingles

• Charred decking

• Melted gutters

• Compromised ventilation

We repair or fully replace the system using GAF, CertainTeed, or Owens Corning materials.

More info:👉 https://www.restorewithcornerstone.com/asphalt-roofing

6️⃣ Siding, Windows & Exterior Reconstruction

Heat damage can warp vinyl siding, shatter windows, or deform trim. We restore:

• Vinyl siding

• James Hardie siding

• Damaged windows & patio doors https://www.restorewithcornerstone.com/windows-and-doors

• Fascia & soffit

• Gutters & downspouts

  
  

7️⃣ Interior Restoration

We repair structural framing, drywall, insulation, and flooring damaged by fire, smoke, or water.

8️⃣ Full Insurance Claim Support

We help homeowners navigate fire claims from start to finish:

• Documenting the damage

• Working with adjusters

• Providing estimates

• Ensuring nothing is missed

  
  

We make sure your home gets properly restored.

🏡 Final Thoughts for Illinois Homeowners

Thanksgiving is a time for family, warmth, and great food — not fire emergencies.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can protect your home from the most common holiday fire hazards.

And if something does happen, Cornerstone Restoration is ready 24/7 to help you recover quickly and safely.

👉 Emergency Help https://www.restorewithcornerstone.com/emergency-services