Ocala Fire Rescue is reminding residents of the dangers of cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the annual Turkey Day is the leading time for home fires involving cooking equipment. Fortunately, firefighters say, most of the fires are preventable.
Those cooking Thanksgiving meals are encouraged to adhere to the following safety measures to ensure a safe holiday:
- Don’t leave the kitchen while the stove or other cooking apparatus is in use. If you must leave, assign an adult to keep an eye on the stove.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from your cooking area.
- Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame and turn off the burner.
- If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the oven and leave the door closed.
If frying a turkey:
- Use a turkey fryer only outdoors on a sturdy leveled surface, 10 to 15 feet away from any structure or property that could burn.
- Use no more oil than what is needed. Determine the correct amount of oil necessary by first placing the turkey in the fryer with water.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dry before it goes in the fryer.
Use long cooking gloves that protect hands and arms when handling the fryer.