Avoid Accidental Fires, and Stay Safe During Thanksgiving

The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in 1637. Thanksgiving is a great time to connect with your family and/or friends, during a wonderful meal. With Thanksgiving dinner being the highlight of the holiday, fire safety should be a primary concern. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, Thanksgiving is the peak day of the year for fires, so plan your holiday celebration in advance to ensure you have a plan for safely creating the meal. Take a look at this chart based on the NFPA's “ Home Fires Involving Cooking Equipment Report” that illustrates the main causes of fire accidents.

Basic Fire Safety Tips:

• Check smoke alarms and verify that they are functioning properly;
• Eliminate fire hazards by placing candles, towels, and other flammable objects far from the cooking area that may start a fire;
• Have a portable fire extinguisher ready and learn how to use it in advance;
• Cooking turkey in a deep fryer requires extra care. The NFPA discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers which may become a source of ignition, and are considered to not be safe. Check out our previous blog post to learn more about Deep Frying Safety Tips;
• Set up a reminder on your phone to check the progress of the turkey and dishes during the cooking process;
• Never use a glass casserole container on the stove burner, as it may explode from the high temperature;
• When cooking on a natural gas or propane stove, be aware of a carbon monoxide build-up inside your home. Make sure you have CO monitor installed in your house, and open kitchen windows for additional ventilation to prevent CO poisoning;
• Never leave your grill or stove unattended while cooking;
• Be careful with electric appliances: their long cords dangling off the kitchen counter present serious dangers, like an electric shock or burns, if they are within easy reach for kids or your pets;
• Unplug appliances that are not in use; it’s a smart way to avoid a power surge and an electrical fire;
• During the party, check your security camera often to help you keep an eye on your home and have everything under control. After the party, walk around the home and ensure candles and fireplaces are off.

Following these tips will help you avoid accidents on Thanksgiving Day. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

If you have questions or need help finding the right personal protective equipment, please feel free to call us at 800-829-9580, or visit us online at  pksafety.com.

Resources:

1. American Red Cross Thanksgiving Safety Tips
2. Firefighters: Cooking fires most common on Thanksgiving
3. Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Photo: Courtesy of http://www.krcrtv.com.