Remember fire safety on Thanksgiving

Before you even think of gobbling up your Thanksgiving turkey, don’t forget about fire safety.

Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. In fact, the number of home fires doubles on Thanksgiving. So, let’s add a pinch of fire safety to the menu.

Keep these safety tips in mind as you prepare your meal.

Turkey:
If you're roasting your turkey, make sure you set a timer. This way you won’t forget about the bird as you watch the parade or football game.

If you're frying your turkey:

• Use a fryer with thermostat controls. This will ensure the oil does not become over heated.
• Thaw your turkey completely. Ice on the bird will cause the oil to splatter.
• Don’t overfill the pot with oil. If you do, the oil will overflow when you add the turkey causing a fire hazard.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fryer.
• Also, always use the fryer outdoors.

Stuffing and Potatoes:
Stand by your stove when you're boiling your potatoes or frying onions for stuffing. Stay in the kitchen when you're frying, boiling or broiling, so you can catch spills or hazardous conditions before they become a fire.

Vegetables:

• Keep the area around the stove clear of anything that can burn like packaging, paper towels and dish cloths.
• Be sure to clean up any spills as they happen.
• Be prepared. Keep a large pan lid or baking sheet handy in case you need to smother a pan fire.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so you don’t bump them.

By following these safety tips, you will have a safer Thanksgiving.