Thanksgiving Safety Tips Provided By New Canaan Fire Marshal

NEW CANAAN, CT — As residents prepare their turkeys for the big upcoming holiday feast, the New Canaan Fire Marshal's Office has provided a list of tips to help residents enjoy a safe and delicious Thanksgiving.

In a news release, Fire Marshal Paul Payne urged New Canaan residents to make safety the main ingredient in their holiday kitchen next week.

According to Payne, Thanksgiving is the biggest day of the year for home cooking fires, which means now is the perfect time for residents to refresh their safety routine.

The following Thanksgiving safety reminders were shared to the town's Facebook page by Payne:

In the Kitchen

• Keep anything that can burn far from the stovetop.

• Turn pot handles inward to avoid accidental spills.

• Stay focused—use a timer for your turkey and pies.

• Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby to smother small pan fires.

• Watch for smoke or boiling grease and turn off the burner immediately.

• Prevent burns: roll up sleeves and always use oven mitts.

Payne also noted deep frying a turkey can pose serious risks, and residents who plan to use a deep fryer this Thanksgiving should follow these safety measures:

• Set it up OUTSIDE on a sturdy, nonflammable surface.

• Keep children and pets far away.

• Never leave the fryer unattended.

• Make sure your turkey is fully thawed.

• Use a fryer with a thermostat to prevent overheated oil.

• Handle everything with potholders or oven mitts.

"A safe kitchen means a happier Thanksgiving for everyone," Payne said in a news release.

Further fire safety and burn prevention tips can be found at the New Canaan Fire Marshal's Education Center on the town website (Public Safety → Education Center).