Thanksgiving cooking safety tips

Published 10:33 am Monday, November 21, 2011

Thanksgiving is when the kitchen becomes the heart of the home with lots of people and activity.
According to the Glassy Mountain Fire Department and the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is also the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment.
To help prevent these fires, follow these safety tips:

Cook with caution
• Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food.  If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from the stovetop.
• Make sure kids stay away from the stove, hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. Kids should stay three feet away from the hot stove.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives, matches and utility lighters out of reach of children.
• Make 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.
• Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
• Make sure smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
If a cooking fire starts:
• Get out first. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Then call 9-1-1 after you leave.
• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others get out and you have a clear way out.
• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn the stovetop off.  Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
“If folks take the extra precautions listed above, then everyone should have a good, safe Thanksgiving,” said Bryan G. Riebe, chief of the Glassy Mountain Fire Department.
“Deep-frying turkeys have become increasingly popular over the years but they can be very dangerous. The fryers have a high risk of tipping over, overheating or spilling hot oil that could lead to fires, burns or other serious injuries.”
Frying a turkey? Special safety tips:
• Fryers should be used outdoors on a solid level surface a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.
• Never use a fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage or enclosed space.
• Don’t overfill the fryer.
• Never leave the fryer unattended because, without thermostat controls, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use or after use as the oil remains hot for hours.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts and wear long sleeves and safety goggles to protect from splatters.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before placing in a fryer.
• Keep all-purpose fire extinguishers nearby.
• If a fire occurs in your turkey fryer, call 911 immediately.
– article submitted by the Glassy Mountain Fire Department

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