Preventing Cooking Fires this Thanksgiving
Leaves on the ground, football on T.V., and fireplaces warming up the family room, this is a sure sign Thanksgiving is near.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is one of the top holidays for home cooking fires. NFPA says cooking causes about 49% of all reported home fires. It’s also the second leading cause of home fire deaths.
In order to enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday, the NFPA recommends the following tips to keep your family safe:
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop.
- When cooking your turkey, remain at home and check on it frequently.
- Keep children at least three feet away from the stove. You should also keep them away from hot foods and liquids as these can cause serious burns.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them before cooking by pushing the test button.
- Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times. Keep items like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area as these items can catch fire.
- Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is out.
If a fire does break out while you’re cooking, remember to never throw water on it. Use a fire extinguisher
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