Limit Distractions to Prevent Kitchen Safety Hazards

As we enter the holidays with visions of turkeys and tinsel dancing in our heads, the Westerville Division of Fire (WFD) is encouraging residents to stay focused on safety.

“There is no limit to the number of distractions the average person is balancing on a given day and the holidays can only add to that burden. When it comes to cooking food, it’s important to maintain your attention on the task at hand- preparing the meal safely,” said WFD Fire Chief Brian Miller.

Cooking fires tend to spark during this time of year. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that Thanksgiving Day sees three times the number of home cooking fires than any other. Hosting duties, higher cooking volume and the general excitement of the holiday season are all added distractions that can combine into a recipe for disaster in the kitchen.

According to the NFPA, unattended food on a cooktop is the number one cause of home cooking fires.

Check your smoke and CO alarms every month, replace the batteries or unit as needed.

Have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, away from your stove, and know how to use it.

Never leave food unattended on the stove. If you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the range or stovetop and move pots and pans away from where small hands could reach.

Never cook after taking medicine that makes you drowsy, or after consuming alcohol.

Keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.

In addition to fire safety measures, Chief Miller says it’s important to ensure children and pets are kept safely away from injury-causing conditions. He recommends maintaining a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Read more about fire safety from WFD at www.westerville.org/fire.

Don’t Fry the Coop! Turkey Fryer Safety

It’s a hard truth to gobble, er, swallow: most fire experts, including those at the NFPA and U.S. Fire Administration, discourage the use of turkey fryers because of the dangers they pose to people and property. Still, the promise of placing a perfectly crispy bird on the table lures many home chefs to take the chance. If you’re planning to fry a turkey this year, please keep your family’s safety top of mind. Remember: When in doubt, get out! If a fire starts and you can’t get it under control quickly, move everyone away from the flames and call 9-1-1 immediately.

Turkey Fryer Fire Safety

THE FRYER

• Operate the fryer on a level surface.

• Place the fryer a minimum of 10 ft from the home.

• Never operate inside the home, garage or on a deck.

• Always use a thermostat to ensure oil is not overheated.

• Keep your oven mitts handy as fryer parts will become extremely hot.

• Have a fire extinguisher nearby and never attempt to douse a fryer fire with water.

• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fryer at all times.

• Never leave fryer unattended.

SOURCE: U.S. Fire Administration

THE TURKEY

• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed. Allow about one day in the fridge for every 4 lbs.

• Use paper towels to pat the turkey dry (inside and out) before frying and check for any unthawed, icy bits.

• Recommendations vary for the maximum weight that should be fried, but most experts agree on under 14 lbs.

• Do not stuff the turkey before frying.

SOURCE: Butterball.com