Are You Ready For Thanksgiving?

 

For more information contact:                Tod Pritchard                            Lori Getter

                                                            Office (608) 242-3324                (608) 242-3239

                                                            Cell (608) 219-4008                    (608) 516-0293

 

For Immediate Release

November 16, 2016

 

Are You Ready For Thanksgiving?

ReadyWisconsin has simple tips to keep the holiday safe

 

 

(MADISON) – More than 48 million people will be traveling at least 50 miles from home this Thanksgiving. According to the Automobile Association of America (AAA), that’s the most travelers since 2007, and nearly nine out of 10 people will travel by automobile. Before you travel or get ready to cook the Thanksgiving turkey, Wisconsin Emergency Management’s ReadyWisconsin campaign has some tips to help keep the holiday safe.

 

“Thanksgiving is all about family, friends, and food,” says Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Brian Satula. “It is also a time to keep safety in mind as you’re having fun and creating great memories.”

 

On the road

Know before you go this winter season with the 511 Wisconsin Traveler Information System. Download the free 511 Wisconsin smartphone app, follow @511WI on Twitter, or visit www.511wi.gov to access these current statewide travel resources:

 

• Road conditions
• Travel times, traffic delays, incident alerts, and construction closures
• Traffic cameras

 

Other traveling tips: Keep your gas tank at least half full in case you are stranded or stuck and need to run your heater. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with candles and matches, a flashlight, pocket knife, snacks, a cell phone adapter, a blanket and extra clothing.

 

Fire Danger

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the riskiest day of the year for fires due to home cooking? According to the U.S. Fire Administration, two-thirds of home cooking fires start when food or cooking materials catch on fire and three out of five home cooking fire injuries happen when people try to fight the fire themselves. There are some things to do to help prevent kitchen fires:

• The leading contributing factor in home cooking fires is unattended cooking. Make sure you frequently check on items on the stove or in the oven.
• Frying poses the greatest risk of fire. If using a turkey fryer, make sure you follow the manufacturer guidelines regarding appropriate use of the appliance. Don’t overfill the fryer with oil and always use outdoors.
• Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils and other items away from your stovetop
• Keep children away from the stove.
• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher that has an “A”, “B” and “C” rating and test your smoke alarms to make sure they are working properly.
• Never leave lit candles unattended and consider using flameless candles.

Accidents Happen, Be Ready

Cooking-related burns are common at Thanksgiving. Save the butter for the rolls and not a burn. For superficial burns, cool the area by running cold water on the burn until the heat eases, and then loosely cover the burn with a sterile dressing. Seek appropriate medical care.  

For additional Thanksgiving safety tips, visit http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov. You can also check out Midwest road conditions and airport delays

 

Current News Releases available at http://readywisconsin.wi.gov

 

Join us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin

and Instagram (www.instagram.com/readywisconsin)