CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The holiday season is here and the hustle to prepare the perfect Thanksgiving meal is underway. However, take a moment to review a few cooking safety tips to keep your family safe during the holiday season.
Safety is always on the mind of the cook, but with the busy environment involved in preparing holiday meals, Michael Rios, public information officer for Clarksville Fire Rescue, shared some ideas to keep in mind while you are working your magic in the kitchen.
Thanksgiving Day is the peak time for cooking-related fires, followed by Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and the day before Thanksgiving. Rios said that unattended cooking is by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
“People leave the house, they are outside or watching TV and not paying attention,” Rios said. “People put something on the stove and run to the store to get something and just forget about it.”
Rios also warned about keeping children and pets safe while cooking.
“Thanksgiving is all about families coming together and you don’t want kids or pets coming in and knocking the pot off (the stove) and burning themselves,” Rios said.
Turkey Fryers
Let’s talk turkey for a moment, especially when it comes to frying turkeys. Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors, never on a deck. The equipment should be set up a safe distance from buildings and other flammable materials. Never leave the fryer unattended and don’t let children or pets near the fryer, even if it is not being used because the oil inside can remain dangerously hot hours after it’s turned off.
Make sure the fryer is used on a flat surface to prevent accidental tipping and don’t overfill the fryer. Always use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts while handling the pot lid and handles. The National Turkey Foundation recommends thawing a frozen turkey in the refrigerator 24 hours for every five pounds of weight and never drop a frozen turkey into a pot filled with hot oil.
Rios said you should always have an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby when cooking and if the fire begins to spread get out and call 9-1-1. Also, be sure you have a home escape plan in place for your family members to meet at a location outside the house to make sure everyone is safe.
He added that candles can also be a big problem for starting fires over the holidays.
Finally, Rios emphasized the importance of making sure you have working smoke detectors in your home because they save lives. He said to check your smoke detectors once a month and if they are over ten-years-old they need to be replaced.
“We do have a free program if you’re in need of smoke detectors, give us a call and we’ll come out and install them for you free of charge, Rios said.
Visit us on social media or our website, Clarksvillefirerescue.org, or call our office at 931-645-7462.