Easy steps to prevent Thanksgiving fires
Fire Officials Encourage Fire Safety During Holiday Cooking
With Thanksgiving just days away, Calfire of San Luis Obispo County is reminding residents about the dangers that home fires pose during the holiday season. Thanksgiving is a time of food, fun and festivities; but this time of year is also a time to be extra cautious as thousands of home fires across the nation are caused from holiday cooking.
“While we all come together to be thankful, let’s not have a cooking accident ruin the festivities – use caution in the kitchen,” said Fire Chief Robert Lewin.
To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with cooking fires, Calfire would like to offer the following tips:
- Don’t leave cooking unattended. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Someone walking by is less likely to bump them and it prevents a curious child from pulling them over.
- Food preparation and cooking should always be supervised by an adult.
- When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors away from structures.
- Make sure a fire extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
- Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home.