At Griffin Insurance, we want you to know how thankful we are for you. Not just at Thanksgiving time, but all year around. Not just for your business, but also for your friendship. Your family's safety and security is important to us. Please take a look at the tips below as we kick off the holiday season.
Cooking fires are the number 1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the US, and there are three times the number of cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires.
With this in mind, please remember to use caution and care when preparing this year's Thanksgiving meal. And these tips are great for year-round safety.
Preventing Cooking Fires
- Never leave hot food or appliances unattended while cooking.
- Always be alert when you are cooking. If you are under the influence of medication or alcohol, avoid using the stove.
- Keep anything that can catch fire away from stoves, toaster ovens, or other head sources.
- Use the 3 foot rule - keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from hot surfaces.
- Do not wear loose fitting clothes when you are cooking.
- If you are frying, grilling or broiling food, stay in the kitchen. If you are baking, boiling, or simmering food, check the food frequently, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Make sure smoke detectors are working
Prevent Burns and Scalds
- To prevent hot food or liquid spills, use the stove's back burner and turn all pot handles away from the stove's edge.
- Keep all appliances cords coiled, away from the counter edges.
- Use oven mitts or potholders when carrying hot food. Make sure the oven mitt is not wet. This can cause burns if the mitt becomes heated.
- Open hot containers from the microwave slowly and away from your face.
Keeping Kids Safe
- Create the 3 foot "Kids Free Zone" around the stove.
- Never hold a child while cooking, drinking, carrying hot foods or liquids.
- Keep hot food items away from the edge of counters and tables.
- When children are old enough, teach them to cook safely with an adult.
Cooking the Turkey in a Deep Fryer
Deep-fried turkey has become a favorite Thanksgiving tradition in many households. But if used improperly, an overloaded fryer can easily tip over and set an entire house ablaze. USFA offers the following helpful tips to backyard chefs who plan to deep-fry a turkey for Thanksgiving:
- Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
- Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
- Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
- Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
- Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
- To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
- The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.
Safety for Pets:
And finally......remember.....
There’s always something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving.
Even if it’s just not being a turkey. :)
Happy Thanksgiving from Griffin Insurance