News Release from: Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - TVF&R ISSUES HOLIDAY COOKING SAFETY TIPS
Posted: November 19th, 2012 1:36 PM
Here's something that may make you think twice as you cook your Thanksgiving meal: Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires nationwide, according to the National Fire Protection Association. That's why TVF&R reminds citizens to be extra careful in the kitchen this holiday season.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - LIVE FIRE DEMONSTRATION
TVF&R will demonstrate how to safely extinguish a kitchen fire during a demonstration at Fire Station 50 in Tigard. Public Information Officer Brian Barker will demonstrate the proper technique for "putting a lid on it" to extinguish a grease fire on a stove and be available to discuss basic holiday fire safety tips.
Where: TVF&R Fire Station 50, 12617 SW Walnut Street, Tigard, OR, 97223
When: Tuesday, November 20th, 11:00 a.m.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for home cooking fires, with three times as many occurring on Thanksgiving as any other day of the year. In 2010, there were 1,370 fires on Thanksgiving, a 219 percent increase over the daily average.
Tips for Safe Cooking:
-Keep an eye on what you are cooking. Most fires start because food being left unattended on the stovetop.
-The holidays are filled with distractions - guests in the home, alcoholic beverages, kids home from school, and it's easy to forgot about what you are cooking.
-If you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the burners or set a timer.
-Also, keep combustibles away from the stovetop.
What about those people planning to use a turkey fryer this year?
-Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls and will heat until the oil ignites. Manually control the temperature.
-Turkey fryers should always be used outside on a flat surface, away from buildings and items that can burn. Never use on wooden decks or in garages.
-To avoid oil spillover and a resulting fire, do not overfill the fryer.
-Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Water and hot oil do not mix, and can cause an explosive fire.
-Never allow children or pets near the turkey fryer - the oil inside the cooking pot can remain hot for hours
-Listeners can visit our Blog to watch a video of an actual turkey fryer fire.
What happens if a fire breaks out?
-If the fire is large or appears to be growing, do not attempt to extinguish it. Leave your home and call 9-1-1 from a cell phone or neighbor's house.
-If the fire is still the pan or oven you may be able to extinguish it yourself:
-Put a Lid on It. Turn off the burner and from the side carefully slide a pan lid over the pan. The lid will "smother" the fire, while turning off the burner removes the heat. You may also use a baking sheet or pizza pan.
-Use a fire extinguisher
-Oven: Shut the door of the oven or microwave and turn off the heat.
Note: NEVER transfer a burning pan from the stovetop to the sink or out the back door. The fire may grow in size and burn you or spread to countertop or cabinets. Also, never pour water on a grease fire. The flames will "splash," resulting in burns to your body and/or spreading to nearby
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