Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 | 8 p.m.
In what’s already been a dreadful year, firefighters don’t want kitchen mishaps added to your burden this Thanksgiving.
Each year across the U.S. approximately 2,000 fires are reported during the holiday, with unattended cooking being “by far the leading contributing factor,” Las Vegas Fire & Rescue says. In second place? “Something that caught fire because it was too close to the (cooking) equipment."
While viral videos of charred turkeys might seem silly, the kitchen dangers are no laughing matter.
Firefighters in the U.S. respond to three times the normal number of calls, and the holiday sees an average of five deaths, 25 injuries and $21 million in losses associated with them, according to the Las Vegas fire department.
Locals appear to be getting the message.
Last season, Las Vegas firefighters responded to 10 calls of fires, including four ovens that caught fire, with no injuries or significant damage reported, officials said.
It was the fewest number of calls for Thanksgiving Day in five years. No significant fires were reported in the previous three years, either, officials said.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue wants another slow holiday, and thus provided the following tips:
• When frying a turkey, only do it outdoors (10 feet from any wall) and use devices that are approved for the task, which have four legs and a built-in thermostat. A tipping fryer is one of the leading causes of injury.
• Do not throw a frozen turkey in the oil, and don’t forget to remove the bag of gizzards inside the bird. Avoid splashing by using the right kind of oil and cooking it at low temperatures.
• Wear fry gloves and protect children and pets from splashing oil.
• Like with safe driving, be alert and stay away from stovetops if you’re sleepy or under the influence of alcohol.
• Regularly check your cooking food, use timers, and don’t leave the house unattended.
• Let fresh air circulate by opening windows.
• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have working batteries. Don’t use grills indoors and make sure you’re using your fireplaces safely.
• If something catches fire, turn off the stove and cover the burning food with a lid and/or use a fire extinguisher. Don’t move burning pans.
• Dumping water, salt or flour on the flames can cause the flames to expand.
• About 57% of reported cooking injuries have happened when people are trying to extinguish the fire themselves.
• If the fire isn’t manageable, call 911 immediately and direct attendees to a safe location.
“When retiring for the evening, make a final inspection of your home and ensure that all appliances, especially the stove, are turned off,” Las Vegas Fire & Rescue concludes. “If you used outside appliances, such as a barbecue or turkey fryer, make sure the gas is off and ashes are put in a pail of water.”
