Fire Dept., state Fire Marshal offer Thanksgiving cooking safety tips

· Use well-insulated oven mitts when touching a pot lid, handles or when adding or removing food to prevent the risk of burn injuries. He said it’s also a good idea to have another set of hands to help.

“If you have a fire, make sure you get out, stay out, call 911 and shut your door on the way out”, St. Amand said.

The Overland Park Fire Department’s mannequin challenge video was filmed last week in one of the employee’s homes. If you’re planning to serve a smaller group, Boston Market’s Boneless Roasted Turkey Breast Meal for 4-6 costs $84.99/$14.17 per person.

Remain in the kitchen while you’re cooking, and keep a close eye on what you are cooking! “So try not to leave your house unattended”.

“It’s important to pay attention to what you’re doing and to just use common sense and normal safety precautions when your cooking or eating or craving a turkey.” said Dr. Balagna. If you have to leave for even a short period of time, turn all burners and the stove off. Regularly check on food that is simmering, baking or roasting, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking. Do not refreeze a turkey that was thawed in a microwave, and cook it right away.

When cooking a turkey, remain in your home and check on the turkey frequently.

Heed this public service announcement: turkey fryers are risky. Otherwise your home will do most of the frying.

Keep children away from the cooking area or watch them closely if they insist on being mini chefs. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot for hours after use.

Also do not forget to use well insulated pot holders or oven mitts when touching the lid or handle. Never overfill the fryer or you will get splash-back when immersing the turkey. Oil and water don’t mix, and water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or even an explosion hazard. The National Turkey Foundation recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of weight. Also, be careful of weather conditions as rain, wind or snow can affect the fryer, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby at all times.

If a fire does break out, most likely a grease fire, do not pour water on it that will only intensify the flames.