By: Karen Searle 

With COVID-19 weighing on the holidays this year and even changing many of our plans, we should still be mindful of the need to protect ourselves from one other danger this Thanksgiving: cooking fires. 

Typically, Thanksgiving is one of the peak days for cooking fires, which is the top cause of home fires in the U.S. Most often, these emergencies are caused by unattended cooking — a common behavior shared by nearly 70% of us, as shown in a national American Red Cross survey earlier this year. 

 If you plan to fry a turkey, keep in mind that deep fryers can tip over easily, the hot oil splatters easily and the oil can overheat and start a fire. Never fry a frozen turkey. The Department of Agriculture recommends to always reading the manufacture’s manual for how to use the deep fryer and always ensure that you keep a fire extinguisher nearby.  To help keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season, the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania asks that you follow these safety tips: 

1. Keep an eye on what you fry! Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.  

2. Move items that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper and curtains. Also keep children and pets at least three feet away. 

3. Avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking. 

4. When frying food, turn the burner off if you see smoke or if the grease starts to boil. Carefully remove the pan from the burner. 

5. Keep a pan lid or a cookie sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. This will put out the fire. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. 

This is also a good time to check your smoke alarms to ensure that they are working properly.   

From us to you, Happy Thanksgiving!