Did you know that Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days for the chance of a cooking fire to happen in someone's home in the U.S.?
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths. If you're helping to prep this year's Thanksgiving feast, help make sure you and your loved ones stay safe with these safety tips from the American Red Cross of Western New York.
COOKING SAFETY TIPS:
· Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or
broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time,
turn off the stove.
· Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven
is on.
· Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while
cooking.
· Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from
cooking areas.
· Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders,
oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels
or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that
generates heat.
· Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent
grease buildup.
· Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in
your kitchen.
· Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
Follow these safety tips and visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your household.
Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit redcross.org/homefiresafetywny or contact your local Red Cross for more information.
Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community installation partners, has saved 53 lives in the Western New York region and at least 1,928 lives across the country by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country.
