DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- It is that time of year that we take some well-deserved time off to spend with our families and give thanks. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) there were an estimated 1600 home cooking fires in the U.S., making it the peak day for home cooking fires. Here at the Davis-Monthan Fire and Emergency Services we would like to offer you these fire safety tips to keep you and your family’s safe this Thanksgiving.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
- Keep young children at least 3 feet away from the stove.
- Make sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer, or mixer are not dangling off the counter in easy reach of children. (National Fire Protection Association, n.d.)
Deep frying turkeys has become increasingly popular, there are a myriad of safety precautions that should be followed if frying a turkey including.
- Keep outdoor fryers a safe distance away from structures and trees.
- Do not deep fry turkeys inside of garages.
- Ensure fryer is on a level surface and avoid moving once in use until it has completely cooled
- Leave at least 2 feet between the propane tank and burner.
- Don’t fry turkeys more than 12 pounds.
- If the oil is smoking, turn down the heat to keep from auto igniting.
- Ensure your turkeys are completely thawed and dried prior to putting in the oil.
Following these safety tips will assist you and your families a happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday.