On Wednesday (11/23/16) at about 1:00 pm, Weiser City Fire and Rescue were called out on a stove fire on West 9th. The fire was quickly put out and Weiser City Fire helped with smoke removal. This fire was caused by something that was placed in the stove unknown to the person that turned it on… although this was something that was easily taken care of, nearly four times as many cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving as on a typical day, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year for families and friends to get together, but this cooking-focused holiday also presents a greater risk of home fires.
Thanksgiving is also the time when many people like to experiment with frying turkeys. The use of turkey fryers, which can lead to devastating burns and other injuries, as well as the destruction of property due to the large amount and high temperature of oil used.
Regardless of the date, unattended cooking is by far the leading cause of these fires and fire deaths.
The following tips can help reduce the risk of cooking fires on Thanksgiving and beyond:
— Stay in the kitchen when cooking to keep a close eye on the food, especially when frying and sautéing with oil.
— Stay alert and focused when cooking. To help minimize the risk of injury, avoid cooking when drinking alcohol or if you’re sleepy.
— Use a timer to keep track of cooking times, most notably when cooking a meal that takes a long time such as roasting a turkey, baking a roast or simmering food on the cooktop. Check the stove or oven frequently. Consider putting timers in different rooms so you can hear them over the music and party chatter.
— Keep things that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers and towels away from the cooking area.
— Be sure to remove previous food and grease buildup from burners, stove top, and oven before starting Thanksgiving cooking.
— When simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly and remain in the home while the food is cooking.
— Keep children at least three feet away from the stove as steam or splashes from vegetables, gravy and other dishes can cause serious burns.
— Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing while cooking and if wearing long sleeves, roll them up.
— Keep the number of people in the kitchen to a minimum, including children and pets, to avoid injuries from hot spills or causing tripping hazards. Crowded kitchens can cause confusion and result in burns.
— Be sure electrical cords from appliances such as electric knives, coffee makers, plate warmers and mixers are not dangling off the counter or within easy reach of children.
— Never leave children alone near lit candles. Furthermore, matches and utility lighters should be kept in a locked cabinet out of the reach of children.
— Test smoke alarms to ensure alarms are working properly.
— Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and know how to use it.
Have A Happy & Safe Thanksgiving from Weiser City Fire and Rescue, Weiser Area Rural Fire District and LivingInTheNews.Com
