Celebrate Safely With A Recipe For Safety

11/15/2016 (Permalink)

Holiday Safety Tips

For many people, November is a time to enjoy cooler temperatures, beautifully colored leaves and family oriented get togethers, like Thanksgiving. While you are busy whipping up delicious dishes, it is also important to take time to remember safety.
Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire-related injuries in the United States. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 357,000 home structure fires each year— forty-five percent of those fires are attributed to home cooking fires.
These fires are also responsible for thousands of injuries and more than $6.9 billion* in property damage each year.
By taking a few precautions, you can help ensure your holiday plans don’t go up in smoke!

DID YOU KNOW? Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires, with three times the average number.

Each November, families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving by preparing a delicious feast, but if you don’t practice safe cooking habits, your holiday could become hazardous very quickly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. It’s important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.

-Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have  consumed alcohol don’t use the stove  or stovetop.
-Stay in the kitchen while you are frying,  grilling, boiling or broiling food.
-If you are simmering, baking or roasting  food, check it regularly, remain in the   kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
-Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains—away from the stovetop.
-If you have a cooking fire, consider the following safety protocols to help keep you and your family safe.
-Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
-Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
-For an oven fire turn off  the heat and keep the door closed.
-If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
-Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season. 

Tips provided by the National Fire Protection Association.