Turkey Safety!

11/14/2018 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and if you’re not too careful, a dangerous fire can come with your family meal. In fact, in 2016, Fire Departments responded to approximately 1600 home cooking fires during the Thanksgiving holiday. Leaving cooking items unattended for periods of time is the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths according to the National Fire Protection Association. So before you get ready to prepare for the big meal ahead, here a few tips to keep in mind for you and your family’s safety.

Safety tips

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

For more info, go to https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Seasonal-fires/Thanksgiving-safety