The holidays can be hectic with guests visiting your home, entertaining, and making meals for a lot of people. Follow these Thanksgiving safety tips for an accident-free holiday with your loved ones.
Kitchen fires on Thanksgiving day are the number one cause of emergencies, with burns or scalds following at a close second. In more than half of those house fire instances, unattended cooking was the primary cause. By implementing simple but useful Thanksgiving safety tips, you have a stress-free successful holiday for your whole family.
15 Ways to Increase Safety During the Holidays
- Never leave hot appliances or food that is being cooked unattended.
- Don’t prepare food while under the influence of alcohol, and offer to take over the cooking if the person responsible is under the influence.
- Keep children and pets at least 3 feet from food prep and cooking areas.
- Always use a timer when cooking or baking.
- Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove and use the back burner whenever possible.
- To avoid tripping hazards, keep appliance cords secure and out of pathways through the home.
- Always use an oven mitt or potholder for hot pans.
- Never hold a child while cooking or when holding hot food or liquid.
- Keep flammable items and materials away from cooking areas.
- Clear clutter from the floor to prevent falls.
- Keep hot food and liquids away from the edge of countertops.
- Test your smoke detectors before beginning holiday food preparation. Replace the batteries if necessary.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and learn how to use it.
- Don’t wear loose clothing that may fall onto a flame or into a hot liquid.
- Unplug any appliances that are not being used.
Final Thoughts On Thanksgiving Safety
Thanksgiving should be a time for family, making happy memories, and giving thanks. Don’t let your Thanksgiving become an emergency situation by following these tips for a safe holiday.
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