11/27/2019

Avoiding Thanksgiving Day Fires

Did you know that Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and the day before Thanksgiving? Statistics from 2016 show that U.S. Fire departments responded to roughly 1,570 home cooking fires that year. Further, cooking equipment was involved in 50% of all reported home fires and home fire injuries. Finally, it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.

The staff at A Cleaner World wants you and your family to have a safe and disaster-free Thanksgiving, so we've compiled a list of do’s and don’ts for this special meal-centered holiday.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

• Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly before you begin cooking.
• Never use the stove or oven if you are tired, have taken medication that makes you drowsy, or have had alcohol.
• Make the cooking area a kid-free and pet-free zone. There are too many dangers like hot appliances, liquids, and foods that can cause burns; sharp objects like knives and other utensils; appliances with dangling cords; and tripping hazards for adults with toys, children, and pets underfoot.
• Be extremely careful if you choose to fry your turkey by ensuring you’re not using too much oil, keep the fryer away from structures, make the frying area a no-kid zone, and never leave the turkey while it’s in the fryer. Improper use of these fryers has led to severe burns and caused more than one house to burn down.
• Use caution on where you choose to place things because kids are sneaky and fast. Push appliances, sharp objects, lit candles, and other dangerous items back from the edge of the counter so that little hands cannot reach them.
• Never leave the kitchen while cooking. If you need to step out for a minute, turn off the stove or ask someone to stay in the kitchen while you are gone. If nothing is on the stovetop but you are baking or roasting food in the oven, check it regularly, remain inside, and use a timer as a reminder.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop.
• If you do have a small fire, first quickly decide if you can safely put it out. Never move a flaming pan from the stove to the sink. Instead, smother the flames with a pan lid and turn off the burner. Don’t touch it until it is completely cooled. If it is an oven fire, turn off the oven and keep the door closed until you are certain the fire is completely out.
• If you have the remotest hesitation about putting out the fire, evacuate everyone quickly. Close the door, gather in a safe place, and call the fire department.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of family and friends, fellowship, grateful hearts, and good food, and the last thing we want is for someone to get hurt. Always err on the side of caution, and remember, things can be replaced…..you cannot.