Thanksgiving Day is festive celebration but did you know that it’s also the leading day for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). As you begin preparing for your family dinner, keep these fire safety tips in mind:
- Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen even for a minute, turn off the stove.
- When cooking your turkey, check on it frequently and don’t leave the house.
- Alcohol (or drowsiness) and cooking don’t mix! Don’t use the stove or stovetop if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol.
- Use a cooking timer to remind you when to turn off the stove or oven.
- Wear tight clothes and roll up your sleeves when cooking. If you have long hair, tie it back.
- Keep flammable things, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, your clothing or food packaging, away from the stovetop.
- Accidents can happen – keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires by sliding the lid over the pan and turning off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it’s completely cooled.
- Never throw water over a grease fire! Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen for extra prevention.
- Keep the kitchen floor clean and clear of objects to avoid trips or falls.
- Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking. Prepare activities such as games, puzzles or books that keep them busy elsewhere. Keep pets out of the kitchen as well.
- Make sure electric cords aren’t dangling off the counter within easy reach of children or pets.
- Keep matches and utility lighters up high in a locked cabinet and out of the reach of children.
- Use battery-operated candles instead of real candles. Learn more candle fire safety tips.
- Ensure your smoke alarms are working by testing them at least once a month and replacing batteries once a year.
- Review your home fire escape plan with the whole family and tell your visitors about it. Mark two exits out of each room and practice your fire drill routinely.
How to prevent turkey fryer fires and injuries:
- Only use your turkey fryer outdoors on a sturdy, level surface well away from people, pets, and combustible things.
- Don’t overfill the cooking pot. First place the turkey in the pot with water. This allows you to determine the correct amount of oil needed.
- Ensure your turkey is completely defrosted before you fry it to prevent hot oil from splattering.
- Use a cooking thermometer to check the temperature of your fryer as it can easily overheat and start a fire.
- Wear long cooking gloves to protect your hands when handling the turkey fryer.
Stay safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family! For professional smoke remediation or fire damage repair, contact our local PuroClean office at 423-790-3500 right here in Cleveland, Tennessee.
