Holiday Cooking Safety Presented by: BAYTOWN FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE

Holiday Cooking During the holidays, more structure fires are caused by cooking than anything else. On Thanksgiving day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas day there are more cooking fires than any other day of the year.

Cooking Fires Cooking was the cause of 46% (almost half) of residential building fires in 2009 Unattended cooking is the single leading factor contributing to cooking fires. Many other cooking fires begin because combustible materials (potholders, towels, paper, etc.) are too close to cooking heat sources. Frying is the cooking method posing the highest risk. More than half of home cooking injuries occur when people try to fight the fire themselves.

Cooking in the Kitchen Safety Tips To prevent cooking fires: STAY ALERT!! Don’t cook if you: –Are sleepy –Have been drinking alcohol –Have taken medication that makes you drowsy. Keep combustible items- potholders, wooden utensils, paper/plastic bags, towels or packaging – away from the stovetop. Keep the stovetop, burners and oven clean.

Cooking in the Kitchen Safety Tips Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or boiling. If you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the stovetop. If you are baking, roasting, or broiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while the food is cooking and use a timer to remind you when it is ready.

Cooking in the Kitchen Safety Tips Wear short, close- fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Plug microwave ovens and other appliances directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.

If you do have a cooking fire WHEN IN DOUBT --- GET OUT !!!! Alert everyone else in the house to leave. When you leave, close the door behind you. Call 911 If you try to put the fire out: –Make sure the others are already getting out. –Make sure that you have a clear path out. Don’t trap yourself. If it is a pot or pan fire --- put a lid on it and turn the burner off. DO NOT REMOVE THE LID !!! Do not remove the pot or pan or lid until it is completely cooled

If you do have a cooking fire In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat source and KEEP THE OVEN DOOR CLOSED to prevent the flames from burning you. If you have a fire in your microwave oven, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Unplug the microwave oven, if possible. After a fire of any type, inside the house, if there is any doubt, call the fire department and let them check it out.

Nuisance Smoke Alarms If smoke detectors sound frequently during cooking, you may need to move them further from the kitchen area. If a smoke detector sounds during cooking, open a window or door and fan the detector with a magazine or towel to move air around the detector to clear the sensor. NEVER DISABLE THE SMOKE DETECTOR OR REMOVE THE BATTERY because it is sounding.

TURKEY FRYER SAFETY Only use turkey fryers outdoors and a safe distance from buildings and other combustible materials Never use turkey fryers: –indoors or –in a garage or –on a wooden deck.

TURKEY FRYER SAFETY Make sure the turkey fryer is on a flat level surface. Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. The oil can continue to heat up to it’s ignition temperature. The oil will remain very hot for several hours after you finish cooking. Keep pets and small children away from the fryer.

TURKEY FRYER SAFETY To avoid spillover – do not overfill the fryer with oil. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed out. Thaw 24 hours for every 5 lbs of turkey. WATER (ice) & HOT OIL DO NOT MIX !!!

TURKEY FRYER SAFETY Use well insulated pot holders or oven mitts when touching the pot or handles. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water on a hot grease fire. WATER (ice) & HOT OIL DO NOT MIX !!!

Protecting Children from Cooking Burns 1 st degree – redness 2 nd degree – blisters 3 rd degree – deep burn Do not put anything (such as butter, crisco, etc.) on a burn. Anything you put on a burn will be scrubbed off at the hospital Put burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. Seek medical attention, if necessary.

Protecting Children from Cooking Burns Keep children (& pets) at least 3 feet away from where food is being cooked. Keep hot foods and liquids away from the edges of tables and stovetops. Use the rear burners, if you have young children. Never hold a child while cooking.