JAMES CITY COUNTY — The James City County Fire Department is reminding everyone to keep fire safety in mind this Thanksgiving.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to more than 1,400 cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day each year. Unattended cooking is by far the leading cause.
NFPA offers the following Thanksgiving fire safety tips:
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay at home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove and hot food or liquids.
- Keep flammable items like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging and towels away from the stovetop.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button. Replace smoke alarms every ten years.
- Never use a turkey fryer with oil indoors or on wooden decks. Consider using an oil-less fryer or purchasing a cooked turkey from a local store or restaurant.
In case of a cooking fire:
- If a small grease fire starts in a pan, slide a cookie sheet over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
- Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
- If you have any doubt, get out and call 911. Close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
For more fire safety tips, visit nfpa.org/thanksgiving.
