Thanksgiving is a day to reflect on all we are thankful for, enjoy food together and spend time with friends and loved ones.
Although it may not at the top of your menu or shopping list, focusing on safety can keep a happy holiday from taking a tragic turn. The San Rafael Fire Department has some helpful suggestions for your family safety.
Everyone is familiar with the traditional meal of turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings for Thanksgiving. Be sure to keep children away from ovens and stovetops as well as hot pots, pans and casseroles. If you use a turkey fryer, please be extra careful and be sure to carefully follow the directions. UL Safety
If cooking is a family affair, supervise young helpers and keep sharp objects and hot pans out of their reach.
Things can get confusing in the kitchen when cooking such a large meal, so remember to treat each dish, pot and pan as if it were scalding hot. Constant use of potholders will help you steer clear of burns.
Even though you want to look nice for family and friends, never wear loose clothing or shirts with baggy sleeves while cooking. Wearing tighter fitting clothing in the kitchen will help prevent kitchen fires and injuries.
In the event of a burn, run cool tap water over the affected area to soothe the skin. Then, cover the burn with a sterile dressing or clean cloth. This will greatly reduce the chances of infection. If the burn is severe and blistering occurs, seek medical attention or call 9-1-1 for more assistance.
The comforting glow of candles around the home may invoke the warm holiday spirit, but they are a significant fire hazard – candles left unattended are the cause of many structure fires.
Choking is another prevalent hazard at Thanksgiving. Appetizers, including those containing relishes, raw vegetables, olives, grapes, nuts and cheese cubes, can be dangerous for young children who may not be able to chew them adequately. Alcohol can dull the nerves that assist in swallowing so take care to drink responsibly.
Don’t forget your pets and while it may be tempting to throw a bone to your dog, don’t give in to temptation. Poultry bones are hollow so they break and splitter easily, which can cause pets to choke or do even worse damage to their digestive systems. Also, use care in sharing other table scraps with pets as their canine and feline systems may have trouble with the rich holiday foods. That’s not just good advice for their health and safety; it’s a good tip for preserving rugs and upholstery. Stick to pet food and treats – they’ll thank you for it.
At the San Rafael Fire Department…we’re here to help and never close. So give us a call anytime at 9-1-1
Happy Safe Thanksgiving,
Christopher Gray – Fire Chief