Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year – but it can also be one of the most dangerous.
- Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
- In 2014, nearly four times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving as on a typical day.
- In 2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,730 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires.
- Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
- Cooking equipment was involved in almost half (48%) of all reported home fires and civilian and tied with heating equipment for the second leading cause of home fire deaths.
Source: http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Seasonal-fires/Thanksgiving-safety
This month, we’ll be featuring some tips for keeping you and your loved ones safe during the holiday season. Here are some tips to help keep your holiday preparations fun:
- Cooks should avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while preparing the holiday meal.
- Never leave a stove unattended. If you have to leave for even a short time, turn the stove/oven off.
- Check food regularly.
- Use a timer as a reminder that the stove is on.
- Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.
- Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stove or any appliance that generates heat.
- Clean surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
- Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.
- Always double check the kitchen before going to be or leaving the home to make sure all appliances are off.
If you plan to fry your turkey, take a look here for some really great info on how to prevent some of the most common mishaps. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/cooking.html
And last, but certainly not least, enjoy all of the fellowship and fun the season has to offer!
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!