Cook the Turkey; Avoid the Fire

November signals a time of increased cooking fires, with Thanksgiving being the peak day with roughly three times the average number. Cooking is also the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and the third leading cause of home fire deaths.

To reduce the risk of cooking fires this holiday season, The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection "DESPP" recommends the following safety tips:

• Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains away from the stovetop.
• Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food.  If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• When 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 are cooking.
• Stay alert.  If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire:

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 after you leave.
• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear path (to your way out of the home and someone has called the fire department).
• Keep a lid nearby when 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.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.