Because so many people spend Thanksgiving Day cooking large amounts of food, it may not come as a surprise that the Red Cross reports that the holiday sees more than double the number of home cooking fires than a typical day–more than 4,000, to be exact.
We’re sure that your smoke alarms are properly placed and in good working order, but there are additional precautions you can take in the kitchen to avoid fires and burns.
From The Red Cross:
+ Keep potholders and food wrappers at least three feet away from heat sources while cooking.
+ Wear tighter-fitting clothing with shorter sleeves while cooking.
+ Make sure all stoves, ranges and ovens are turned off when you leave the kitchen.
+ Set timers to keep track of items that require extended cooking times.
+ Turn pot and pan handles inward on the stove.
+ Follow manufacturer guidelines regarding appropriate use of appliances.
+ Before you retire for the evening, make sure all kitchen devices are turned off and candles are extinguished.
In recent years, a growing trend has prompted a new set of safety guidelines. The increasing prevalence of deep-fried turkeys has added an element of deliciousness to Thanksgiving meals, yet frying an item as large as a turkey comes with a very real set of safety concerns. If you plan to fry, follow these tips:
+ Make sure your turkey is completely thawed. Ice inside the turkey cavity can cause the oil to splatter, increasing the chance of painful burns.
+ Keep a pair of heavy leather gloves handy when you’re lowering the turkey into the oil and taking it out. You’ll use the hook that comes with your fryer to actually place the turkey in the hot oil, but even so, keeping your hands protected when you’re in close proximity to the fryer is imperative.
+ Maintain constant supervision while the turkey is frying. The fryer could be inadvertently knocked over by a well-meaning child or pet, so don’t leave the fryer unattended for any length of time.
Whether you’re frying, roasting, tofurkey-ing or dining out, we wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!
Photo by Flickr.com/jakesmome
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