Thanksgiving is a time to get the turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie prepared, gather family and friends around the table, and commemorate the harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims.
Hosting family and friends on this very special day is both enjoyable and stressful. As the host, most of the meal prep falls on you. What a great opportunity to show off your cooking skills! Unfortunately, cooking causes around 69 percent of Thanksgiving Day fires. Below we’ve compiled a few ways to avoid kitchen mishaps this Thanksgiving (or any other day).
For each year from 2011 to 2013, an estimated 2,100 residential building fires were reported to fire departments in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day and caused an estimated 10 deaths, 50 injuries and $28 million in property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Knowing the dangers that come alongside this special holiday, the Southern Colorado Insurance Center offers you a recipe for fireproof cooking:
• Always stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. Food is typically cooked all day on Thanksgiving, so make sure someone is supervising at all times.
• Reconsider deep-frying your turkey. If you really want deep fried turkey, make sure you are doing this outside and in an open area away from all walls, fences or other structure s that could catch on fire, especially wooden decks. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions and make sure the bird is fully thawed out.
• Keep kids and pets out of reach of hot food and appliances in the kitchen.
• Check the roasting turkey regularly and don’t leave your home unattended if you appliances are on.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking. Roll up long sleeves and tuck away that tie.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire, such as potholders and dish towels away from the stove and hot appliances.
• Make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working the day before you start cooking.
Stay safe and have a fantastic Thanksgiving!
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