Safety First: Before the Feast

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

Each November, families gather
to celebrate Thanksgiving by
preparing a delicious feast,
but if you don’t practice safe cooking
habits, your happy holiday could
become hazardous very quickly.

According to the National Fire
Protection Association, cooking is
the main cause for home fires and
injuries, with Thanksgiving being the
peak day for cooking-related fires.

Review the following safety
tips to help ensure you can
enjoy a safe holiday.

-Never leave cooking food
unattended–stay in the
kitchen when frying, grilling
or broiling food. If someone
must leave the kitchen for even
a short period of time, they
should turn off the stove.

-Check food regularly while
cooking and remain in the
home while cooking. Use
a timer as a reminder that
the stove or oven is on.

-Keep the kids away from the
cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free
zone” and make them stay at least
three feet away from the stove.

-Keep anything flammable–pot
holders, oven mitts, wooden
utensils, paper or plastic bags,
food packaging and towels or
curtains—away from the stove,
oven or any other appliance in
the kitchen that generates heat.

-Do not wear loose clothing or
dangling sleeves while cooking.

-Clean cooking surfaces on a regular
basis to prevent grease buildup.

-Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep
in the kitchen. Contact the local
fire department for training on
the proper use of extinguishers.

-Always check the kitchen before
going to bed or leaving the home
to make sure all stoves, ovens, and
small appliances are turned off.

-Install a smoke alarm near the
kitchen, on each level of the
home, near sleeping areas and
inside and outside bedrooms.
Use the test button to check
it each month. Replace all
batteries at least once a year.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!