Thanksgiving

Fire Officials Remind Residents About Safety During Holidays

Cal Fire is warning residents to use extra caution when cooking this week, as Thanksgiving is the peak day for kitchen-related home fires during the holiday season.

The warning comes after nearly four times as many house fires occurred on Thanksgiving in 2014 than on a typical day, according to Cal Fire officials.

"At Thanksgiving we tend to have multiple items cooking on the stove," Cal Fire Director Chief Ken Pimlott said in a statement. "While we are with our family and friends, it is so important to not get distracted and to always stand next to the oven or stove when your are cooking."

"Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires," Chief of Public Education Lynne Tolmachoff said in a statement. "That is why it is important to always watch what you are cooking and never leave it unattended. One critical safety measure is to ensure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home. It's an added measure to protect you and your family from fires in your home."

In addition to having a working smoke alarm, Cal Fire officials are also reminding residents to keep children away from the stove and to remember to turn pot handles toward the back of the stove in order to prevent someone walking by from bumping into it.

When using a turkey fryer, users should be sure to follow instructions carefully and not to exceed the recommended amount of oil and to use the device outdoors, according to Cal Fire officials.

For more safety tips about cooking during the holiday season, residents can visit www.fire.ca.gov.

Copyright BAYCN - Bay City News
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