BULLHEAD CITY — As Thanksgiving approaches, the Bullhead City Fire Department reminds everyone that this festive holiday, filled with family, friends, and delicious food, can also be one of the most hazardous days for home cooking fires. With multiple dishes on the stove and distractions all around, it’s essential to stay vigilant in the kitchen to ensure a safe celebration.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, with incidents occurring at more than three times the daily average. The leading cause is Unattended cooking.
Top Thanksgiving Cooking Safety Tips:
To help keep your holiday safe and joyful, please follow these tips from the Bullhead City Fire Department:
· Make your cooking area safe. Move anything that can burn away from the stove. Turn pot handles toward the back to avoid accidental spills.
· Stay attentive. Watch what you’re cooking at all times. Use a timer when roasting your turkey or baking pies.
· Be alert. Always stay awake and focused while cooking. If you see smoke or if grease starts to boil, turn off the burner immediately.
· Be prepared. Keep a large pan lid or baking sheet nearby to smother a pan fire if needed.
· Prevent burns. Wear short sleeves or roll them up while cooking. Avoid leaning over the burners and always use potholders or oven mitts when handling hot cookware.
· Create a safety zone. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove or oven.
· Check your smoke alarms. Make sure smoke alarms are working throughout your home.
Turkey Frying: Extra Caution Required
Deep-frying turkeys has become a popular tradition, but it comes with significant risks:
· Location matters. Always use turkey fryers outdoors, on a flat, non-combustible surface, such as concrete, and well away from anything that can catch fire.
· Supervise at all times. Only adults should operate the fryer, and one adult should watch it closely while in use.
· Use thermostat controls. Only use fryers with temperature controls to prevent oil from overheating and igniting.
· Prevent spills and splatters. Thaw your turkey completely before frying to avoid dangerous oil splatters. Never overfill the fryer; hot oil can spill over when adding the turkey.
· Stay safe. Use potholders or oven mitts when handling the fryer or turkey. Keep children and pets far away to prevent accidental burns or injuries.
