By admin Published November 19, 2018

There is a lot of preparation involved around the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, when friends and family are gathered in the kitchen cooking the big feast. It is important to keep fire safety at the top of your mind during this time, as Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. In 2016, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,570 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving. So let us help you to enjoy your holiday, and reduce the risk of a fire, with a list of tips and tricks.

Safety Tips

• Always stay in the kitchen when you are cooking something on the stovetop and check on your turkey frequently.
• If you need to step away from your cooking, make sure to have a timer set so that you don’t forget about anything.
• Keep flammable items (oven mitts, wooden utensils, and towels) away from the cooking area.
• Keep children away from the stove and hot liquids as these can cause serious burns and always remember to turn pot/pan handles inward so they cannot be jostled or knocked off the stove.
• Keep the floor in your kitchen clean and lean so you don’t accidentally trip over toys, shoes, etc.
• Always be sure to test your smoke alarms.

Deep-Frying Your Turkey?

Deep-frying your Thanksgiving turkey has become a go-to for many people in the last few years, despite the NFPA’s strong discouragement. However, if you are attempting this cooking technique, we encourage you to read these safety tips to make sure your day ends with happiness and not disaster.

• Never use a deep fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage, or an enclosed space.
• Fryers should only be used outdoors on a sturdy, level surface isolated from anything that can burn.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer.
• The pot, liquid, and handles of the fryer can be incredibly hot, so always use protective cooking gloves.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher handy and never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and thoroughly dried before it is placed in a fryer. The water from a frozen turkey will not mix with the oil in the fryer and can be an explosion hazard.

We hope you all have a safe and enjoyable time this holiday season with friends and family. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact your friends at Carbondale Fire District.