Did you know that most home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving? That’s why it’s important to follow the safety tips below to help keep your holiday safe this year.
“Taking these extra precautions can help ensure you and your family have a safe Thanksgiving,” said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Brian Satula.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, unattended cooking is the leading factor in home cooking fires. Most of those fires start when food or other cooking materials catch on fire. When preparing your holiday dinner, make sure you keep anything that can catch on fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels and food packages away from your stove.
Stay in your kitchen if you are frying, boiling or broiling food. If you are baking, make sure you check it regularly. Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove to help prevent bumping. Keep children and pets away from the stove. Frying poses the greatest risk of fire. If using a turkey fryer, make sure you follow the manufacturer guidelines regarding appropriate use of the appliance.
In addition, make sure you have a fire extinguisher that has an “A”, “B” and “C” rating and test your smoke alarms to make sure they are working properly. If using candles, consider using flameless candles.
Many people will be traveling this holiday week to visit family and friends or to head to the hunting shack. Before you travel, check with 511 Wisconsin for the latest traffic and road conditions. This information, along with live traffic cameras and traffic alerts, can be accessed on the 511 Wisconsin system, which includes a free mobile app, @511WI on Twitter, or the mobile-friendly site https://www.511wi.gov/
Before traveling, make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicles. Vehicle breakdowns or getting stuck in the snow can occur anywhere. A kit could help keep your family safe until help arrives. Consider including non-perishable foods, flashlight, extra hats, gloves and blankets. Other suggestions are available at ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov.
For tips on emergency preparedness: https://readywisconsin.wi.gov. You can also follow ReadyWisconsin on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
