Stay Safe this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and many are looking forward to a great meal with their family and friends. While most people are fantasizing about eating a delicious feast, we can easily forget the hard work that goes into preparing the meal. An often overlooked piece of the food preparation is the safety aspect, so we’ve put together some helpful reminders to keep things safe. Even if you aren’t involved with the cooking directly, these safety tips will still allow you to help out during the festivities.

1.) Keep the workspace clear of distractions

The most basic way to encourage safety while cooking is to keep the workspace, usually the kitchen, clear of any distractions. Because the leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking, you don’t want the cook’s attention taken away from their workspace. The cooks should be alert and attentive, so leave those who are tired or under the influence out of the kitchen. Since having a cluttered kitchen can also be a distraction, a good rule of thumb is: “if you aren’t using it now or about to use it, keep it out.”

One way to reduce kitchen clutter is to have someone trusted helping the cook by bringing them the utensils they need and taking away things they don’t need. Leave this job to a trusted adult, while it might seem fun to let the kids help out, you don’t want to risk them messing up or getting injured.

2.) Establish a “kid-free zone”

While children may want to help with the festivities, having them help with cooking may not be a great idea. Due to the dangers posed by cooking tools such as hot stoves and sharp knives, children should be kept away from the kitchen. Children may also cause the cook to be distracted, increasing the risk of kitchen fires. At minimum, keep children at least 3 feet away from any potentially dangerous areas. The same applies to pets as well.

3.) Be prepared for a fire

While nobody wants a kitchen fire, being prepared in the event of one is essential. Prevention is the easiest way, and using the tips above will help minimize the chances of a cooking fire.

However, it is also important to know what to do depending on the type of fire. For small grease fires, turn off the stove and smother the flames with a lid. Do NOT try to put out the fire with water, this will not extinguish a grease fire. If you aren’t able to control the flame, then just get out! Evacuate the home quickly and call your local emergency number. Don’t worry, the fire department is used to Thanksgiving accidents, and they’ll be able to help you out. Now that you know these simple safety tips, you can apply them to your next Thanksgiving gathering. Share these tips with your friends and family to keep Thanksgiving safe, letting you enjoy the delicious feast with friends and family.