November 24, 2008 - The Shreveport Fire Department Urges Residents to use Extreme Caution When Preparing Meals for the Holidays

Holiday Safety and Kitchen Safety

Thanksgiving is traditionally defined by giving thanks, cooking, and especially eating. Residents can easily become distracted while entertaining guests, finishing last minute shopping, or watching their favorite television show. However, distraction can transform a happy holiday into a heartbreaking tragedy.

“Traditionally, during the holiday season and the colder months, the number of residential fires increases,” said Fire Inspector Janet Ward. “With unattended cooking identified as the leading cause of home fires during the Thanksgiving holiday, it is essential for residents be attentive in their approach to cooking safety.”

Accordingly, the Shreveport Fire Department urges residents to use extreme caution when preparing meals this holiday season.

Kitchen safety

• If a fire starts in a stove-top pan, cover it with a lid and turn off the heat source.
• If a fire is burning in your oven, keep the door closed and call your fire department.
• Keep motors on refrigerators and other appliances clean. Oil or dirt build-up on electric motors can make the motor to overheat.
• Keep a fire extinguisher preferably mounted in the kitchen away from the stove — one that can be used for grease or electrical fires.
• Turn pot and pan handles inward so children won’t pull them down from the stove.
• Never leave food, especially grease, unattended on the stove.
• Always keep a tidy kitchen and clean up spills immediately.

Frying turkeys

• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed! Remember, oil and water does not mix, so be careful with marinades. It is recommended that your turkey should be thawed in the refrigerator allowing approximately 24 hours for every five pounds.
• Always use turkey fryers outdoors, a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn.
• Always wear proper fitted clothing and use equipment such as oven mitts or potholders when touching pot or lid handles.
• To prevent oil spillover, never overfill the fryer.
• Never use turkey fryers inside of garages or on wooden decks.
• Always use turkey fryers on a flat surface to prevent accidental tip over.
• Never leave the fryer unattended and monitor the thermostat carefully.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby and remember to never use water to extinguish a grease fire. Fire extinguishers are for small fires with the average household fire extinguisher lasting approximately 10 to 15 seconds.
• Never let pets or children anywhere close to the fryer when in use. Even after use, oil inside the cooking pot can remain extremely hot, even hours after use.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a turkey fryer.
• Before going to bed double checks to make sure all hazards have been eliminated.