CAL Fire Releases Thanksgiving Safety Tips

112017_thinkstock_turkey
112017_thinkstock_turkey

iStock/Thinkstock

CAL Fire is releasing a list of tips for Thanksgiving to avoid cooking fires. According to FEMA’s National Data Center, cooking is the leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires and more than half of these fires occurred between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., when many people are preparing Thanksgiving dinner. To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking, CAL
FIRE offers the following tips:

Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen
for even a short period, turn off the stove and oven.

Regularly check on food that is simmering, baking, or roasting, and use a timer to remind
you that you’re cooking.

Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Someone walking by is less likely to bump
them or pull them over.

Keep children three feet away from the hot stove, and away from hot food and hot liquids.

Make sure a fire extinguisher is always close by. Never use water to put out a grease fire.

Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed in your home.

When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the
recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors.

Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks, or bags.

Keep knives out of the reach of children.

Be 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.


For more cooking fire information, visit
https://www.nfpa.org/cooking.