The Thanksgiving holiday is the peak day for home cooking fires across the nation. Thanksgiving day has more than three times the daily average for such incidents. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked second and third, having nearly twice the daily average. For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays.
Everyone enjoys being part of the holiday preparations. As we gather to test new recipes or decorate cookies, we should keep safety in the kitchen on our minds during this joyous and hectic time. As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember that by following a few simple safety tips, you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safe from fire.
Top 10 safety tips from the
National Fire Protection Agency
• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot, and kids should stay three feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause severe burns.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer, or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
• Keep the floor clear, so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks, or bags.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
Rincon Valley Fire District provides many services to our District residents that you may be unaware of. We are always happy to change your smoke detector batteries or inspect your car seat for proper installation. Please go to our website to learn more.
By Jim Tucker, Assistant Fire Chief
