The Crookston Fire Department would like to remind local resident to practice cooking safety during the holiday season. Cooking safety is especially important during the holiday season when there is a lot of activity and people in the home. More home fires involving cooking equipment happen on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. “We get a large amount of cooking fires during the Holidays,” said firefighter Shane Heldstab. “Being attentive to what you’re cooking is important and checking on food regularly even if you haven’t heard the timer can help prevent cooking fires.”
The National Fire Protection Association and the Crookston Fire Department discourage the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in hot oil. The use of turkey fryers can lead to devastating burns, other injuries and the destruction of property.
COOK WITH CAUTION
·Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop, so you can keep an eye on the food.
·Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
·Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot, and kids should stay three feet away.
·Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
·Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
·Keep knives out of the reach of children.
·Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
·Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children – up high in a locked cabinet.
·Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
·Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
