Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Those 'Cooking Up a Storm'

As Thanksgiving approaches, the American Red Cross has issued safety tips you “can use to avoid a cooking fire while whipping up Thanksgiving dinner.”

“We want everyone to have a safe Thanksgiving holiday,” said Mathieu Nelessen, regional CEO, American Red Cross North Jersey Region. “Cooking is a leading cause of home fires, so we are encouraging everyone to take steps to avoid a fire.”

COOKING SAFETY

Cooks should avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while preparing the holiday meal. Never leave the stove unattended – if the cook has to leave the kitchen even for a short time, they should turn off the stove or designate another adult to supervise. More cooking safety steps are:

• Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.
• Keep anything that can catch fire - pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from the stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
• Check food regularly.
• Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on.
• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Fire Safety has also issued safety tips regarding turkey fryers.

“As families prepare for the holiday season, we urge those gathering to celebrate to be aware of safe cooking practices, especially as more families use new methods – such as frying – to prepare their turkeys,” said DCA Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III.

Turkey fryers have become increasingly popular since the propane gas tank fired units allow for deep frying of large turkeys, a common staple for holiday gatherings. A key feature is that the turkey or wild fowl is immersed and cooked to golden brown in a bath of hot cooking oil.

“The danger, in particular, concerns immersing a frozen turkey whole into a hot fryer,” said Acting State Fire Marshal and Division of Fire Safety Director William Kramer, Jr. “More often than not, the action displaces an equal amount of extremely hot oil, injuring those nearby and possibly igniting the entire fryer in a ball of flame by the burner below. Done outside adjacent to the home, it is a recipe for disaster.”

Additional hazards to consider when using a turkey fryer:

• The lid and the handles can become dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazard.
• Turkey fryers typically have no thermostatic control, so the threat of overheating the oil within is ever-present.
• Many units can easily tip over.

The Division of Fire Safety recommends keeping the following in mind:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Finally, holiday preparations should always include a check on all household smoke and CO alarms to make sure that they are working properly. Families are also encouraged to review the family escape plan.

The following link displays turkey fryer safety videos: Turkey Fryer Safety Videos.