We all love the wonderful aroma of baking pies and roasting turkeys; however, preparing the Thanksgiving meal can be a dangerous time. The National Fire Protection Association is reminding everyone to be especially careful because Thanksgiving is the number one day for home cooking fires in the United States, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
Unattended cooking was the leading factor in these fires, and cooking equipment was the leading cause of home fires that caused burns and injuries.
So as you begin preparing that mouth-watering meal for your friends and loved ones, here are some simple tips to keep everyone safe and the holiday meal a success:
- Always stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop to keep an eye on the food
- Don’t leave home while cooking your turkey and check it frequently
- Remove any loose fitting clothing or dangling sleeves
- Make sure plastic bags, paper towels, oven mitts and other combustibles are away from open flames and heat sources
- Keep children at least three feet away from stoves
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids that can cause serious burns
- Keep floors clear and clean so you don’t slip or trip
- Keep knives out of the reach of children
- Never leave children alone with or in reach of candles, lighters or matches
- Have a fire extinguisher available
- Make sure that your smoke alarms are working properly
One of the more dangerous turkey cooking methods is deep fat frying; while it can provide a super succulent bird, fire agencies warn it can cause burns and eruptive fires. In fact, UL testing labs does not certify any home deep fat fryers. If you decide to use this method, the Butterball Turkey Hotline has very specific instructions to reduce the risk of fire or injury.
Also, on this holiday, don’t forget to thank our emergency personnel: firefighters, law enforcement officers and nurses who will be working, offering protection and comfort. California Casualty wishes everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. We are here to protect your auto and home from fire and other dangers with insurance specifically tailored for law enforcement officers, firefighters, nurses and educators. Learn more at www.calcas.com or call one of our advisors at 1.800.800.9410.
Sources for this article:
https://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/seasonal/thanksgiving-safety
https://www.redcross.org/news/article/Cooking-Safety-Tips-for-Thanksgiving-Chefs
https://www.butterball.com/how-tos/deep-fry-a-turkey
https://www.nachi.org/deep-fryer-inspection.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yObDuYTfudY
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