Thanksgiving Fire Safety & Injury Prevention Tips

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930 MEBrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Share these fire safety resources to help families enjoy a safe holiday. As you plan your Thanksgiving menu don’t forget about fire safety.  Did you know Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires? The number of home fires double on Thanksgiving. So, let’s add a pinch of fire safety to the menu. Keep these safety tips in mind as you prepare your meal. Turkey: If you are roasting your turkey, make sure you set a timer. This way, you won’t forget about the bird as you watch the parade or football.  If you are frying your turkey,   Use a fryer with thermostat controls. This will ensure the oil does not become over heated.   Thaw your turkey completely. Ice on the bird will cause the oil to splatter.   Don’t overfill the pot with oil. If you do, the oil will overflow when you add the turkey causing a fire hazard.   Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fryer.   Also, always use the fryer outdoors.  Stuffing and Potatoes: Stand by your stove when you are boiling your potatoes or frying onions for stuffing. It is best to stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling or broiling. If you are in the kitchen, it is easier to catch spills or hazardous conditions before they become a fire. Vegetables:  Keep the area around the stove clear of packaging, paper towels, and dish cloths; anything that can burn.   Be sure to clean up any spills as they happen.   Be prepared. Keep a large pan lid or baking sheet handy in case you need to smother a pan fire.   Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove so you don’t bump them. By following these safety tips, you will have a delicious and fire safe Thanksgiving. Let the firefighters have dinner with their families, not yours. Join the Fight! Have you joined Fire is Everyone's Fight?  Fire is Everyone's Fight is a a national initiative to unite the fire service, life safety organizations and professionals in an effort to reduce home fire injuries, deaths and property loss. The goal is to change how people think about fire and fire prevention. Join the Fight and use the materials to educate your communities about the importance of fire prevention.  If you have any questions, please email Teresa Neal. The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan. Follow USFA updates on Twitter Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by the U.S. Fire Administration. Privacy Policy | GovDelivery is providing this information on behalf of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and may not use the information for any other purposes. This email was sent to pgfdpio@aol.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Fire Administration · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Emmitsburg, MD 21727 · (301) 447-1000