Lisa Pfeifer – OSU Ag Safety and Health Education Coordinator
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and soon the stovetops, ovens, and turkey fryers will be the workhorses of the day. Alarmingly, according to the National Fire Protection Association (USFA), the number of cooking fires on Thanksgiving is three times as high as on any other day of the year. Keep your festivities from becoming a part of the statistic by following some basic safety tips.
- Test your smoke alarms to ensure they are working
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it
- Clean your oven in advance of the big cooking event
- Call 911 without delay should a kitchen fire breakout
- Avoid becoming distracted by guests
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop
- Thaw your turkey completely before using a fryer
- Keep children away from the stove, oven, and fryer
- Keep the floor clear of trip hazards
- Keep knives from edges of work surfaces and out of reach of children
- Be sure electric cords are not dangling off the counter or onto the stovetop
- Get a good night’s sleep prior to hosting, so you can remain alert in the kitchen
For more information about OSU Ag Safety, visit http://agsafety.osu.edu or contact Lisa Pfeifer, OSU Agricultural Safety & Health, at pfeifer.6@osu.edu or 614-292-9455.