Thanksgiving Cooking Safety Tips

As the holidays approach, families gather together and turkeys are roasted. It’s equally important to give extra attention to what’s cooking inside the kitchen. The National Fire Protection Association states nearly 2,000 home fires are reported each Thanksgiving, the peak day for home cooking fires.

As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing the family feast, remember by following a few simple safety tips, you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep your family safer from fire.

Safety tips

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.