Central County Fire & Rescue is encouraging residents to put fire safety on their Turkey Day menu this year.
According to the USFA, Thanksgiving is the nation’s leading day for cooking fires, when turkey fryers and candles contribute to the already-elevated fire risk posed by a hectic holiday kitchen. But preventing these fires is simple if you take some basic precautions:
- Before preparing your holiday feast, remove previous food and grease buildup from your burners, stovetop and oven.
- Test your smoke alarms before festivities begin, and make sure guests are aware of all exits in case of emergency.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop, set times and check things in the oven frequently. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and fire deaths.
- Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove. Use back burners as much as possible and keep all pot handles angled out of reach.
- Keep a flame-resistant oven mitt, potholder or lid nearby to smother any flames.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. In the event of fire, use the extinguisher immediately while someone else calls 9-1-1.
A note about turkey fryers:
The NFPA discourages the use of turkey fryers, because the amount and high temperature of the oil used can cause serious burns and injuries, and result in the destruction of property. If you do decide to use a turkey fryer, it is important to exercise extreme caution and never leave it unattended.
- NEVER use a turkey fryer indoors, in the garage or on a covered patio.
- Turkey fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot oil onto anyone or anything nearby, which can cause fires, burns or other injuries. The sides, lids and handles get extremely hot and could also cause burns.
- Avoid overfilling the fryer with oil; practice submerging your turkey in water first to make sure nothing spills over the sides. Mark the water line so you know how much oil to use.
- If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn off the gas supply.
- As always, read and follow manufacturer’s guidelines before using.