From The Reno Fire Department:
Reno, Nevada (November 23, 2016) — The Reno Fire Department would like to share the following information as part of the City’s effort to educate the public on the importance of fire safety.
The U.S. Fire Administration reports that the average number of reported residential building fires on Thanksgiving Day was more than double (2.1 times more) the average number of fires in residential buildings on all days other than Thanksgiving. Cooking fires, by far, are the leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires, accounting for 72% of the fire’s origin in residential buildings.
To help keep your family safe, The Reno Fire Department offers the following cooking safety tips:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are 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 children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 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 the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- 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.
If you plan on deep frying a turkey this Thanksgiving, be aware that the cooking units can easily tip over, and a small amount of cooking oil coming into contact with the burner can cause a large fire. Follow these safety tips when frying a turkey:
- Fryers should always be used outdoors, on a solid level surface a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.
- Never use a fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage or enclosed space.
- Do not overfill fryer.
- Never leave the fryer unattended because, without thermostat controls, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
- Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use or after use as the oil can remain hot for hours.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before it is placed in a fryer.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts and wear long sleeves and safety goggles to protect from splatter.
More information can be found at the National Fire Protection Association website: http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/wildfire-and-seasonal-fires/thanksgiving-safety
