SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. From testing family recipes, to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations.
Keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home.
As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing a large family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer.
Thanksgiving by the numbers
· Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
· In 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,760 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires.
· Unattended cooking was the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
· Cooking equipment isinvolved in 48 percent of all reported home fires; tied with heating equipment for the second leading cause of home fire deaths.
Safety tips
· 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 it frequently.
· Keep children away from the stove. This will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
· Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids.
· Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
· Keep knives out of 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.
· Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children, for example, up high in a locked cabinet.
· Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
· Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.