Thanksgiving Safety
With fire-wise common sense, you can
make sure tragedy does not come between you and the festive holiday you have
planned. Follow these fire prevention tips to help you and your family have a
safe and happy Thanksgiving.
¨ Keep your family and overnight
guests safe with a working smoke detector on every level of the house, in every
bedroom, and in the halls adjacent to the bedrooms. Test smoke detectors monthly
and replace batteries at least twice a year.
¨ Overnight guests should be
instructed on the fire escape plan and designated meeting place for your home.
¨ Have a fire extinguisher available
not more than 10 feet from the stove, on the exit side of the room.
¨ A 2-1/2 lb. class ABC multi-purpose
dry chemical extinguisher is recommended. Know how to use your fire
extinguisher.
¨ Start holiday cooking with a clean
stove and oven.
¨ Keep the kitchen off-limits to young
children and adults that are not helping with food preparations to lessen the
possibility of kitchen mishaps.
¨ When cooking, do not wear clothing
with loose sleeves or dangling jewelry. The clothing can catch on fire and the
jewelry can catch on pot handles, causing spills and burns.
¨ Cook on the back burners when
possible and turn pot handles in so they don’t extend over the edge of the
stove.
¨ Never leave cooking unattended. If
you must leave the kitchen while cooking, turn off the stove or have someone
else watch what is being cooked.
¨ Keep Thanksgiving decorations and
kitchen clutter away from sources of direct heat.
¨ Candles are often part of holiday
decorations. Candles should never be left burning when you are away from home,
or after going to bed. Candles should be located where children will not be
tempted to play with them, and where guests will not accidentally brush
against them. The candle holder should be completely noncombustible and
difficult to knock over. The candle should not have combustible
decorations around it.
¨ If smoking is allowed inside, provide
guests with large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. After guests leave,
check inside and under upholstery and in trash cans for cigarette butts
that may be smoldering.
|
