Mashed
potatoes, stuffing, cranberries and pumpkin pie – staples of the traditional
Thanksgiving dinner. Probably the most iconic of all the items that make it
onto your table is the turkey. And while that Thanksgiving turkey is a
delicious way to spend time with friends and families, it is also a major fire
hazard.
In fact, did
you know that the National
Fire Protection Association reports that some 4,000 fires occur on
Thanksgiving annually? So, in order to
help you avoid becoming a statistic this year, here are the top perpetrators to
watch.
1. Stove – With so many friends and family running around, it is easy to get distracted while cooking. Make sure you turn handles on pots and pans inward and turn off the stove when you leave the room; even if it is just for a minute
2. Candles – When the smell of real pumpkin pie begins to merge with the candle smell you lit earlier in the day, it can be easy to forget that you lit the candle in the first place. Many fires have started because of a small, forgotten flame burning on the shelf. Don’t make the same mistake, before leaving or going to bed make a final check to be sure you blew those candles out.
3. Deep Fryer – The best way to make sure your turkey makes it to the table warm and juicy is to deep fry your bird. However, it is also very dangerous (as shown in this video). To avoid the danger, always fry outside, make sure the turkey is 100% defrosted and turn the flames off as you slowly lower the turkey into the oil.
4. Alcohol – If you are planning on enjoying any liquid courage this year, just remember that alcohol will make all of the above items even more of a hazard. Don’t ever cook - or for goodness sake deep fry a turkey - while drinking.
With these
tips you will be able to enjoy Thanksgiving without any incidents. If in the
event you do have a fire, just get out and call 911. If a grease fire occurs,
don’t throw water on it (as this safety video demonstrates). Above all, enjoy yourself; It’s Thanksgiving
you turkey!