IAFF2969_PIO: Brevard County Professional Firefighters Promote Thanksgiving Day Cooking Safety

(Brevard County, Fla) - According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of home fires on Thanksgiving Day. A cooking fire is three times more likely on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year.

“Most fires on Thanksgiving occur between noon and 4:00 p.m. – during the peak cooking hours,” says Don Slayman, Public Information Officer for Brevard County Professional Firefighters. “A lot of those fires can be easily avoided by staying alert and remaining in the kitchen while cooking. Never leave heating sources unattended.”

Many home cooking fires are caused by unattended equipment, abandoned material, a heat source left too close to flammable materials, product misuse and cooking equipment that is not properly turned off.

If you have a cooking fire, go outside and call 9-1-1 for the help. Do not try to fight the fire yourself.

Thanksgiving is also a high time for cooking related burns. To prevent scalds and burns, cook on back burners and make sure all pot handles are turned inward so children don’t come into contact with them. Appliances that get hot, such as toaster ovens, should also be well out of a child’s reach. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.