Cooking is the main cause of home fires and fire injuries in the United States. By practicing these tips, you can prevent cooking fires and keep your family safe this holiday season.
- Stand by your pan – Turn the burner off when you leave the kitchen.
- Watch what you are cooking – If you see smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove – No one can bump them or pull them over.
- Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby – Use the lid to cover the pan if it catches on fire.
- Wear short sleeves or roll sleeves up – Ensure clothing doesn’t interfere with hot food on the stove top.
Frying food is an even greater risk. Turkey fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area. Make sure the fryer is set up on an even surface outside, away from any buildings.
Ensure the turkey is properly thawed and NOT frozen. An overfilled cooking pot will cause oil to spill when the turkey is inserted.
Finally, watch the temperature of your fryer. The sides of the cooking pot can get dangerously hot.
For more cooking tips, watch the video with the Daviess County Fire Department or visit www.usfa.fema.gov.
