Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. The Culver City Fire Department encourages you to be safe when preparing your holiday meal. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
The leading cause of fire in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Stand by your pan when you are cooking on the stove top. If you leave the kitchen for even a short time, turn off the stove.
Watch what you are cooking. Fires start when the heat is too high. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.
Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Then no one can bump them or pull them over.
Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire.
Stay in your home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently. Set a timer so you will not forget about the bird as you watch the parade or football.
Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
Keep anything that can catch fire (e.g., oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packages, towels and curtains) away from your stovetop.
Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
If you are frying your turkey, use a fryer with thermostat controls to ensure the oil does not become over heated. Thaw your turkey completely; ice on the bird will cause oil to splatter. Don’t’ overfill the pot with oil. Always use a turkey fryer outdoors.
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