November 24, 2010 Wilmington, DE- Follow these safety tips to help prevent home fires this Thanksgiving:
Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of Thanksgiving Day home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Keep anything that can catch fire — potholders, wooden utensils, food wrappers, towels or curtains– away from your stove top. Make sure your sleeves are out of the way when cooking. Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves.
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking
Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.
Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner
Turn the handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.
Follow all manufacturer guidelines regarding the appropriate use of appliances.
After guests leave, walk around the home, making sure that all candles and smoking materials are extinguished.
Make sure your smoke alarms are working.
