THINK FIRE SAFETY AT THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment!
STATEWIDE (November 21, 2017) – The kitchen is the heart of
every home and safety must be the first recipe to follow when preparing the
family feast. On Thanksgiving Day a lot
of activities are occurring with friends and family in the home. “Holidays are a time of celebration. Please
follow these simple guidelines to ensure a fire safe Thanksgiving Day meal,” states
Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci.
·
Make sure your
smoke alarms are working properly by testing them. Additionally, ensure your guests are aware of
all available exits if a fire would occur and have them meet at a designated
location outside.
·
The leading cause
of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep
an eye on the food.
·
Establish: A three foot, “Kids & Pets Free Zone” around any area where hot foods or
drinks are prepared. Have activities
that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Provide games, puzzles, books, etc. outside
of the kitchen to keep them busy. Kids
can also be involved with preparations with recipes that can be made outside of
the kitchen area. Just in case, ensure
you turn handles inward on the stove and countertop to avoid spills.
·
Keep a lid nearby
when you are cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the
pan and turn off the burner, and then leave the pan covered until it has
cooled.
·
Keep anything
combustible - oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, etc. away
from the stovetop.
·
Eliminate clutter
in the kitchen. A clean work area allows
for better efficiency and less chances for mishaps.
·
Keep matches and
lighters out of reach of curious children’s hands.
·
Do not leave lit
candles unattended or in places where they could be knocked over by children or
pets.
. Maintain a three foot safety zone around any portable heating device. Keep the zone free of combustible materials, and block children and pets from getting to close.
Turkey Fryer Safety
·
Many turkey fryer
appliances can be easily tipped over, allowing for hot oil spillage. Ensure you place them on a hard, level and
non-combustible outdoor surface.
·
Do not place a
turkey fryer under an overhang or temporary roof. A flare up can easily ignite materials above
the appliance.
·
Partially frozen
turkeys can cause a spill over and result in a flare-up. Thoroughly thaw the turkey before cooking.
·
Turn off the
burner before placing the turkey in the container. Re-ignite the burner after you are sure it is
safe to do so.
·
Constantly
monitor the temperature of the oil. It
can easily reach temperatures to the point of combustion.
·
Be careful not to
overfill the fryer. Follow
manufacturer’s guidelines for proper filling levels.
·
The handles and
lid will get dangerously hot. Use well
insulated potholders or oven mitts.
·
Never leave the
fryer unattended while cooking. Keep an
all-purpose (ABC) fire extinguisher on hand.
Do not use water in an attempt to
extinguish a grease fire.
Following these simple
guidelines for fire and life safety will help to ensure a tragedy free holiday
meal. Have a safe and enjoyable
Thanksgiving!
The
Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of
State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and
explosion through a comprehensive program of education,
inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more
information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: Maryland State Fire Marshal and/or our Facebook Page.
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