The Yakima Fire Department (YFD) wishes all a safe and happy Thanksgiving next Thursday, November 28th.
To help ensure a safe Thanksgiving when preparing the holiday meal, Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham encourages Yakima residents to follow some basic safety tips.
“Home cooking fires happen most often on Thanksgiving Day,” said Markham. “Cooking equipment is involved in almost half of all reported home fires and home fire injuries. It is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.”
YFD and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offer the following suggestions for a safe Thanksgiving meal:
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and children should stay at least three feet away.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children – up high in a locked cabinet.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over children, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- Test your smoke alarms to make sure they are working.
If you are planning to use an oil fryer for your Thanksgiving bird, YFD and NFPA recommend the following:
- Keep it away from your house and garage.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed.
- Always measure the amount of oil needed in your pot before lighting the burner. Using water can help determine what the oil level should be.
- Make sure to monitor the recommended oil temperature during the deep frying process.
- Do not cook on the deck or patio near the house, or under covered patios or near awnings.
Call 575-6060 or visit https://yakimafire.com/ for more about the Yakima Fire Department.