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As Thanksgiving approaches, many families and friends will sit down to a delicious turkey dinner. Be sure to follow fire safety precautions to help ensure that tragedy does not come between you and your Thanksgiving celebration.
Keep your family and overnight guests safe with plenty of working smoke alarms. You should have one on every level in your home, one in every bedroom, and one in the halls outside any bedroom.
Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries at least annually. Instruct overnight guests on your family fire escape plan and designated outside meeting place.
Start holiday cooking with a clean stove by removing any buildup of grease that may be on the surface of the appliance. When cooking, use the back burners whenever possible, and keep pot handles turned in so they do not extend over the stove where they can be easily bumped. Every home should have a minimum of one ABC-rated fire extinguisher. Keep it near the cooking area on the exit side of the room.
Candles are often part of holiday decorations; special care should be taken when using them. Candles should never be left burning when you are away from home or after going to bed. Make sure candles are located where children will not be tempted to play with them and where guests will not accidentally brush against them.
Turkey Fryer Fire Safety
• Place the turkey fryer on a level surface in an open area away from homes, fences, sheds, and other structures that are combustible.
• Never place the fryer on a wooden deck or porch or in a garage or carport.
• Leave at least 2 feet between the fryer and the propane tank.
• Keep the fryer in full view at all times.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer.
• Check the oil temperature often. If you see smoke coming from the oil, turn off the gas right away.
• Completely thaw and dry the turkey before frying. Adding a partially frozen or wet turkey to the pot makes the oil splatter a lot, causing a fire or explosion hazard.
• Cover bare skin before adding or removing food from the fryer.
• Raise and lower food slowly to avoid splattering or spilling oil.
• Use the right amount of oil.
Turkey Fryer Fire Facts
• Cooking fires peak on Thanksgiving Day.
• Most fires from turkey fryers occur while the oil is being heated, before the turkey is added.
• Contact with hot oil can cause serious burns.
If the fryer catches fire, call 112 right away. Do not try to put it out with water as this will only spread the fire.
Using a Class K type extinguisher is best on fryer fires due to the amount of oil being used.
(Courtesy of 86th Civil Engineer Group)
