Don’t Burn Down Your House This Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving Day is one of our busier days responding to home cooking fires, and we would like to reduce that number by practicing fire safety”.

Install or check carbon monoxide detectors to warn when carbon monoxide concentration levels are high. Cooking (baking, broiling, boiling, frying or grilling) meat and poultry to the right temperature kills any bacteria that may be present, so washing meat and poultry is not necessary. Be sure to use only the pot that came with the outdoor cooker and that it is centered directly over the burner. If a matching lid isn’t around to smother the fire, King suggests a cookie sheet. If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed.

If you have questions about your Thanksgiving dinner, you can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) to talk to a food safety expert.

· Wear short sleeves or roll sleeves up.

Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.

Turn pot handles inward over the stove.

“Do not try extinguishing (burning oil) with water”, he said, because that will “bring on a near-explosive circumstance”. Between hosting guests and cooking a meal they’re not used to cooking, fires are far more frequent.

Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby.

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and a home fire escape plan.

Unattended equipment was a factor in 33 percent of reported home cooking fires, and 49 percent of the associated deaths. Damages were estimated to be $1,000.

· Use a fryer with thermostat controls to ensure the oil does not become over heated and monitor the temperature.

There’s only one foolproof way to check for proper doneness and that is using a thermometer.

Candles make any holiday table festive, but it is important to follow some safety tips when using candles.

“If they’re going to use some space heater, whether it’s kerosene or electric, use them per the manufacturer’s instructions”, Flowers said.

Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.

Consider using flameless, battery-operated candles instead. Don’t leave them unattended.

Use non-combustibles holders or saucers.

Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children by placing them in a locked cabinet.

Chief Russell Brooks of the Utica Fire Department gives advice on what you can do at home to make it a safe holiday.