Thanksgiving meals can take a lot of preparation at home, where people use appliances like ovens, fryers and stoves to cook staple dishes such as turkeys, ham, vegetables, stuffing and potatoes. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, people should follow safety tips in order to avoid potential fires and cooking accidents. (Courtesy photo)

Follow safe cooking practices

Thanksgiving is observed tomorrow. As you plan your Thanksgiving feasts in Europe, don’t forget about fire safety. Did you know Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires? According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the average number of home fires on Thanksgiving is expected to be more than double the average number of fires in residential buildings on all other days of the year. Thanksgiving fires occured most frequently from noon to 3 p.m., when people were most likely preparing their meals. Keep these safety tips in mind as you prepare your meals:

TURKEY
If you are roasting your turkey, make sure you set a timer. This way, you won’t forget about the bird as you watch the parade or football. If you are frying your turkey, use a fryer with thermostat controls. This will ensure the oil does not become overheated. In addition, you should thaw your turkey completely. Ice on the bird will cause the oil to splatter. Don’t overfill the pot with oil. If you do, the oil will overflow when you add the turkey causing a fire hazard. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fryer. Also, always use the fryer outdoors.

STUFFING AND POTATOES
You should stand by your stove when you are boiling potatoes or frying onions for stuffing. It is best to stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling or broiling. If you are in the kitchen, it is easier to catch spills or hazardous conditions before they become a fire.

VEGETABLES
You should keep the area around the stove clear of packaging, paper towels, dish cloths and any flammable item. Be sure to clean up any spills as they happen. Keep a large pan lid or baking sheet handy in case you need to smother a pan fire. Lastly, turn pot handles towards the back of the stove so you don’t bump them.
Please remember that unattended cooking is the leading factor in home-cooking fires. By following these tips, you will have a delicious and fire-safe Thanksgiving. Let the firefighters have dinner with their families, not yours.

For more information about fire safety, visit https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/cooking.html. If you experience a fire emergency in your home, please call 112 in Belgium and The Netherlands.

Special to the Gazette