Safety should be the main ingredient in your Thanksgiving meal

Thanksgiving is a day full of enticing smells, good company and lots of laughs – but along with the enjoyable chaos is the reality that cooking fires are three times more likely to occur on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year.

Fire Chief Richard E. Mabie wants to remind you that by using safety as the number one ingredient in your Thanksgiving Day meal, you can reduce the risk of a devastating fire, injury and even death during this holiday season.

Below are some tips to ensure your Thanksgiving Day meal is a safe and enjoyable one:

• 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 that can catch fire – 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.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
• Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.
• 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.

If you and your family are going to enjoy the popular Deep Fried Turkey this year, please following the following fire safety tips:

• Turkey deep fryers should always be placed outside, a safe distance away from buildings and other combustible materials.
• Never use on wooden decks or inside garages.
• To reduce the risk of tipping, always place your turkey fryer on a flat surface.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful of marinades before placing it in the pot. Excess water in partially frozen turkeys will cause the pot to overflow, resulting in a fire hazard. The National Turkey Federation recommends 24 hours of thawing for every 5 lbs of bird before cooking.
• Be careful to not overfill with oil. If overfilled, the oil may spill over, engulfing the entire unit and possibly injuring bystanders.
• Most turkey fryers do not come with a thermostat, and if left unattended the unit may overheat the oil, resulting in combustion. Turkey fryer thermometers and other accessories are available.
• Make sure an all-purpose extinguisher is handy at all times, never use water to put out a grease fire, use common sense when fighting a fire, if it is within reason, use the extinguisher to put it out, if the fire is unmanageable, dial 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
• Even after you are finished cooking, do not let pets or children near the unit. The oil in the container remains extremely hot for hours after cooking.
• And remember the most important safety tip of all: NEVER leave a turkey fryer unattended.

The Department of Fire and Rescue Services is committed in providing you, your home and your family to proper tools and equipment to have a safe holiday season. For more information, contact the Department of Fire and Rescue Services at www.warrencountyfire.com or 540.636.3830