Cooking Safety Tips From Alexandria Fire Dept. On Thanksgiving

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Alexandria Fire Department is offering cooking safety tips so your meal can go smoothly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the leading day for cooking-related fires in homes. In 2017, there were 1,600 reported home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, a 238 percent increase over the daily average.

"Fortunately, the vast majority of cooking fires are highly preventable with a little added awareness, and by taking simple steps to minimize those risks," said Lorraine Carli, president of outreach and advocacy for the National Fire Protection Association.

The Alexandria Fire Department suggests these tips when cooking the Thanksgiving feast:

• Make sure ovens and stoves are clean and free of grease accumulation prior to use.
• Try to wear short sleeves or roll up your long sleeves so your clothes won’t catch fire.
• Do not leave stoves, ovens or any other heating and cooking material unattended.
• Keep food wrappers, pot holders, cloths, plastic, and other flammable items away from heating sources while cooking.
• Keep children away from the stove. Grease and other cooking items can splash, which can cause serious burns.
• Handle all hot cooking pans and utensils with proper oven mitts and pot holders to prevent burns.
• Once cooking is done, make sure all cooking appliances are off.
• Call 911 immediately if a cooking fire occurs.

The National Fire Protection Association also recommends caution when using a turkey fryer, which can lead to severe burns, injuries and property damage. Fire officials usually urge residents to avoid turkey fryers, but if you are using one, cook outside and away from your home. The turkey should be dried and thawed before cooking. To avoid oil spilling and causing injury, ensure the oil isn't overfilled in the fryer. If oil begins to smoke, turn the gas supply off immediately.