Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The main cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, it’s important to be alert and prevent cooking fires.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
• Be attentive! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the oven or stovetop. • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. • If you are 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 your stovetop.
IF YOU HAVE A COOKING FIRE:
• Get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. • Call 9-1-1 after you leave. • If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting 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 off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. • For an oven fire turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
Also, the National Fire Protection Association DISCOURAGES the use of outdoor gas-fuel turkey fryer that immerse the turkey in hot oil. See video link on why this creates a hazard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=kjUynq0HXdQ&feature=emb_title
For more important thanksgiving safety tips, click here: http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/top-causes-of-fire/cooking/safety-with-cooking-equipment/turkey-fryers
