Here are some reminders for this Thanksgiving so you will be safe when cooking.

Cooking Fires 

The leading cause of fires is unattended cooking.

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop so that you can keep food from burning and causing fires.
• Do not leave the house until cooking is complete and all appliances are turned off.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from burners. Oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, and other combustible items can easily catch fire if left on a hot electric burner or comes into contact with a lit natural gas burner.
• Keep small children away from ovens and warm burners. If they are involved in the cooking process, keep them away from the hot cooking pots and pans.

Turkey Fryers 

Turkey fryers are very popular during Thanksgiving but can be dangerous if used improperly.

•  Turkeys should be thawed completely prior to frying. A frozen turkey placed into hot oil can cause fire and serious burns.
•  Monitor oil with an appropriate thermometer to maintain the proper temperature. Oil that has been overheated can reach its auto ignition temperature and ignite.
• Turkey fryers should only be used outdoors in well ventilated areas.

Grease Fires 

In the event of a grease fire, do not attempt to extinguish it with water.

• A fire extinguisher, baking soda, or a pan lid can all be used to extinguish grease fires.
• One common myth related to grease fires is the assumption that flour can be used. While large amounts of flour can extinguish a fire, flour suspended in air can burn and is not recommended.
• When using an extinguisher on a grease fire, be cautious not to blow burning grease out of the pan with the force of the extinguisher.
• When considering the use of baking soda or a pan lid to smother a fire, be cautious to not expose your hands and arms to the fire.