Safety Saturday: Thanksgiving Dangers
The Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner! From Friendsgiving to a more traditional Thanksgiving, you might be celebrating from now until the end of next week. We want to share our first installment of Safety Saturday by discussing the possible dangers and safety tips while cooking your feast on this peak day for cooking fires.
Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of house fires and home injuries in the United States? Most often these emergencies are caused by unattended cooking and usually involve the kitchen stove. In fact, our United States Fire Departments responded to more than 1,400 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day in 2019. Many home cooking fires are caused by unattended equipment, abandoned material, a heat source left too close to flammable materials, and cooking equipment that is not properly turned off.
The American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association recommend these tips to help you and your guests stay safe:
- Keep an eye on what you fry! Keep outdoor fryers off decks and out of garages. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed and dry before cooking as ice and water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
- Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove. Furthermore, check your turkey and other food regularly as they are cooking.
- Move items that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper, and curtains.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
- When frying food, turn the burner off if you see smoke or if the grease starts to boil. Carefully remove the pan from the burner.
- Keep a pan lid or a cookie sheet nearby. Use it to smother the flames while you turn off the burner. This will put out the fire. Never throw water on the fire. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- Turn pot handles to the back of the stove, so no one bumps them or pulls them over.
- Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on. Check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to ensure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove, hot food, and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Go outside and call 9-1-1 for the help of your local fire fighters. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
Thanksgiving brings family and friends together and provides an opportunity to try out new recipes. By following these safety tips, you can ensure a safer holiday for you and your guests. Do you have a Thanksgiving kitchen blunder to share with us? Have a wonderful, enjoyable, and safe Thanksgiving!
