NFPA And Big Bear Fire Department Shares Cooking Safety Tips For The Holidays

Thanksgiving is a time for friendship, sharing, and busy kitchens. Big Bear Fire Department reminds everyone that crowded kitchens and busy cooks can lead to serious burns and tragic fires.

Thanksgiving is one of the leading days of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. That’s why it’s important to know what users can do to help keep friends and family safe while entertaining for the holidays.

Safety Tips

To avoid dangerous incidents, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers these tips:

• Clean ovens and stovetops thoroughly before this marathon cooking day, so that built-up grease cannot ignite.
• Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• Keep anything that can catch fire; oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains, away from the stovetop.
• Be sure pot handles are facing away from the front of the stove and that appliance cords are safely out of the way.
• Ensure knives, matches and utility lighters are out of reach of children.
• Keep pets out of the kitchen.
• Keep the floor clear and clutter-free, so as to avoid tripping over kids, toys, pocketbooks, or bags.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it.
• Make sure smoke alarms are working.

How to address a cooking fire 

If the user has a cooking fire:

• Just get out! When users leave, close the door behind them to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after leaving.
• If users try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and have a clear way out.
• Keep a lid nearby when cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turning 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.