Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving!

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know there are more than three times as many home cooking fires on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year?

Our team at SERVPRO of Hattiesburg wants to make sure you enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones, so here are a few tips to ensure your safety this holiday:

•Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended, especially when frying and sautéing with oil. Stay in your home while the turkey is cooking and check on it frequently.

•Use a timer to keep track of cooking times, most notably when simmering, baking, or roasting foods that require longer cook times. Check the stove or oven frequently.

•Consider putting timers in different rooms so you can hear them over music and party chatter.

•Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels well away (a minimum of three feet) from the cooking area.

•Push up shirt sleeves and avoid wearing billowy clothing that may come in contact with open flames or other heat sources. 

•Avoid cooking when drinking alcohol, using other substances, or if you’re sleepy.

•Make sure children stay at least three feet away from all cooking areas, hot food, and liquids to avoid burns.

Keep these tips in mind when frying a turkey:

•Keep outdoor fryers off decks, out of garages and a safe distance away from trees and other structures.

•Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.

•Watch the weather. Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow.

•Place the fryer on a level surface, and avoid moving it once it's in use.

•Leave 2 feet between the tank and the burner when using a propane-powered fryer.

•Follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner.

•Choose a smaller turkey for frying. A bird that's 8 to 10 pounds is best; pass on turkeys over 12 pounds.

•Never leave fryers unattended.

•Purchase a fryer with temperature controls, and watch the oil temperature carefully. Cooking oil that is heated beyond its smoke point can catch fire. If you notice the oil is smoking, turn the fryer off.

•Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.

•Wear goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to protect your hands and arms and keep an "ABC" or grease-rated fire extinguisher close by. Do not to use water or a garden hose on a fire related to Turkey Fryers.

•Skip the stuffing when frying turkey, and avoid water-based marinades.

•Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.

•Once finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner, place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing.

•Opt for an oil-less fryer. This uses infrared heat, rather than oil, to cook the turkey.

If you do have an emergency this holiday season, SERVPRO of Hattiesburg is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on holidays. Call us at 601-544-0512. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!