Kitchen Fires become more likely during Thanksgiving cooking season

Merriman said another way to guard against home fires is to make sure there are working smoke alarms on each level of the home. If you can control a fire, that’s fine. “Just get everyone out of the house and call 911”, Solobay said in the release.

As the turkey is lowered into the fryer, it explodes into flames setting the house alight – in a stark warning to people this November holiday.

“People like to gather in the kitchen so when you’re gathered in the kitchen and you’re cooking, keep people away from the stovetop”, said Gale Blomenkamp with the Boone County Fire Protection District. He said it is important to always monitor food being cooked, as well as watch the area around the stove or fryer. He says he, and fire fighters in general, have seen just about every scenario out there. Close doors behind you as you leave.

Use a kitchen timer when boiling, simmering, baking, or roasting to remind yourself that you are cooking.

· Never heat the oil above 400°F and always use the thermometer supplied with the turkey fryer to measure the oil temperature.

Never leave a turkey fryer unattended.

Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stovetop.

He says, “You don’t do it on a deck, you don’t do it under a garage, you are at least 25 feet from your home and you stay attentive”.

In the fire department’s demonstration, the turkey used was still somewhat frozen.

To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter. Also, measure the oil going in to the fryer so that when it is displaced by the turkey, it doesn’t overflow. “Water and hot grease do not mix at all”. A 16 pound frozen turkey can take up to four days to thaw.

Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher on hand and be ready to use it.

Never attempt to carry a hot or burning pan to the sink.