Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with the majority of fires occurring between noon and 3 pm. To keep a cooking fire from ruining your holiday celebration the Plainfield Fire Protection District has the following safety tips for you:

  • Stand by your pan and keep an eye on what you fry! Stay in the kitchen when cooking on your range or cook-top so you can monitor the food you’re cooking. Most cooking fires are caused by unattended cooking.
  • When using a turkey fryer always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe and proper use. Always use a turkey fryer outdoors but not on a wooden deck or inside a garage. Use a turkey fryer with thermostat controls to ensure the oil does not become overheated. Thaw your turkey completely, ice on the turkey will cause the hot oil to splatter. Make sure you don’t overfill the fryer with oil to prevent the hot oil from overflowing when you add the turkey. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the turkey fryer at all times.
  • Put a lid on it! If a fire starts in a pan or pot, put a lid on it or slide a cookie sheet over it and turn the heat off. Leave the pan or pot covered while it cools down. If the fire does not immediately go out call 9-1-1. Don’t try to carry or move the pan or pot; leave it alone until it cools down. Never use water on a grease fire, doing so will cause the fire to flare up and spread.
  • If a fire starts in the oven or microwave, turn the appliance off and keep the door shut. If the fire does not immediately go out, call 9-1-1.

Other safety tips to keep in mind include:

  • Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the stove, hot foods and hot liquids.
  • Make sure your floor is kept clear so you don’t trip while carrying hot food or liquids.
  • Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove or cook-top so they don’t get bumped into and knocked down or pulled down by a child.
  • Keep the area around the stove clear of food packaging, paper towels, dish cloths and anything else that can burn.
  • Clean up spills as they happen.
  • Make sure electric cords from small appliances such as coffee makers are not dangling off the counter where they might get snagged and knocked down or pulled down by a child.
  • Keep knives in a safe location where they won’t get knocked down or pulled down off of the counter.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children in a high, locked cabinet and never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
  • Make sure your home’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
  • Advise overnight guests of your home escape plan and family meeting place.

For more information please call us at 815-436-5335 ext. 7314 or visit www.plainfieldfpd.com or www.nfpa.org/cooking. The Plainfield Fire Protection District wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. (Statistics are from the U.S. Fire Administration)