Holiday Cooking Hazards: Life-Saving Reminders

Nov. 24, 2010 — -- Thanksgiving may fill your head with thoughts of cooking, but for firefighters, it's all about cooking fires.

One out of every eight households will have a cooking fire every year, according to authorities. And sometimes, families accidentally make matters worse when they try to fight the fires themselves.

So how do you keep your kitchen safe and, if there is a fire, how do you get it out safely? Here are the key dos and don'ts that we learned from the people at the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department:

And if you are using a turkey fryer this year, here are some life-saving safety tips below, courtesy of CSA International, a product testing and certification service.

Before You Start Cooking

Dry the turkey before putting it in the oil. Pay special attention to drying the cavity of the bird as it has the greatest potential for water or ice to accumulate. Avoid marinades that may react with the hot fryer oil.

When filling the pot with oil, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and never over-fill the turkey fryer. This can cause the oil to overflow, posing a potential risk of ignition from the burner flame.

Never heat the oil above 400°F and always use the thermometer supplied with the turkey fryer to measure the oil temperature. Check the oil temperature frequently. If the oil begins to smoke, turn off the gas.

Use well-insulated oven mitts when touching a pot lid, handles or when adding or removing food to prevent the risk of burn injuries.

If There's a Fire

When You're Finished Cooking

CLICK HERE to visit the CSA International website.