Thanksgiving Safety Tips From Arlington Police Department

ARLINGTON, VA — Millions of people will gather for Thanksgiving 2017 to enjoy time with loved ones and a delicious holiday dinner. No matter whether you're going for tradition or striking out in new directions, food-wise, Thanksgiving is the time when the ovens, burners, microwaves, grills and hot plates are all going strong.

The Arlington Police Department offers the following cooking safety tips to ensure that all citizens and residents will enjoy a safe and festive Thanksgiving holiday:

• Always stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling or broiling food.
• If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire (pot holders, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains) away from the stovetop.
• Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove or any cooking appliances.

If you fry a turkey:

• Set up the fryer outdoors away from anything that can burn. Never use the fryer in a garage or on a deck.
• Place the fryer on a flat surface.
• Determine the correct amount of oil needed by first placing the turkey in the pot with water.
• Thaw the turkey completely before frying. A partially frozen turkey will cause hot oil to splatter.
• Monitor the oil temperature with a cooking thermometer so the oil won’t overheat. Turkey fryers can easily overheat and start a fire.
• Remember to use oven mitts. The pot, lid, and handles of a turkey fryer can get dangerously hot and cause burn injuries.

If you have a cooking fire:

• Get out of your home and remember to close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 from a safe place outside.
• For a small grease fire, smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the oven and keep the door closed.

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