25 Nov Tips for a Safe and Fire-free Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving may be different for many of us, our “traditional” gathering may come masked with a new look or feel. Whether you’ve decided to eat out, pick up a to-go meal, or cook at home, Thanksgiving is still a time to focus on what we are grateful for, rather than what we don’t have or what we’re missing out on this year.
For those of you cooking (or reheating) at home, we know the kitchen is at the heart of the activity. Here are some fire safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe this year:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay at home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot, and kids should stay three feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- 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.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
Thanksgiving is the peak for home cooking fires, followed only by Christmas Day, the Day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve. In 2018, U.S. fire departments responded to more than 1,600 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving alone. Following these guidelines will help keep you and your family stay out of harm’s way. After all, this is 2020 and we know you don’t need any more stress than you already have trying to find toilet paper.
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
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