Gainesville Fire Rescue offers reminder to “think safety” when preparing Thanksgiving meals

Press release from Gainesville Fire Rescue

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Fire Rescue and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) remind our neighbors to think safety when preparing Thanksgiving meals. 

While the holidays are a time for celebration, cooking, and decorating, it is also a time of increased fire risk. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, with three times the daily average. Cooking causes half (49%) of all reported home fires. Unattended cooking is by far the top contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.

As you plan your holiday schedule and begin preparing meals, remember to follow a few simple safety tips to keep the people you care most about safe.

• 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.
• Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.
• Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area.
• Have a plan in case something goes wrong.
  • Never throw water on a grease fire.
  • Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
  • Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again.
  • Let the pan cool for a long time.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over children, toys, 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.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Gainesville Fire Rescue is thankful for Thanksgiving Safety!