Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires.
Mayor Craig A. Moe, the Department of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services (FMPS) and the Department of Community Resources and Emergency Management (CREM) want you to know that there are three times as many fires reported on this holiday than any other.
Following are tips provided by the U.S. Fire Administration as you make cooking preparations for the holiday:
- Never leave cooking food unattended and keep combustibles away from burners and heat sources.
- Heat cooking oil slowly and watch it closely; it can ignite quickly. Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop.
- Make sure you have smoke alarms, with working batteries, on every level of your home. If your smoke detectors are over 10 years old, per Maryland Smoke Alarm Law, Public Safety Article Sections 9-101 through 9-109 requires replacement of any battery-only operated smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old with a unit powered by a 10-year sealed-in battery.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles.
- Have a kid-free/pet-free zone of at least three-feet around the stove and areas where hot foods or drinks are prepared or carried.
- If using a fryer, do not overfill the fryer; always use it outdoors, a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials; and never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
- Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping and keep an ABC fire extinguisher nearby.
- Never leave the fryer unattended and never let children or pets near the fryer.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed - 24 hours for every five pounds in weight - and be careful with marinades - oil and water do not mix!
For more information, please contact the City of Laurel’s Fire Marshal at 301-725-5300.
Be safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving!