Many of us will travel to spend their Thanksgiving holiday with loved ones. The cooks will also be spending a large amount of time in the kitchen preparing the feast! We thought we would put together some simple tips for safe travels and how to avoid a cooking fire while putting together, Thanksgiving.
TRAVELING SAFETY- If your plans include driving, travelers should check the weather along their route and plan for travel around any storms that may be coming. Drivers should be rested and alert, giving full attention to the road – no cell phones. Seatbelts are a must!
Other driving safety tips include:
- Follow the rules of the road – observe the speed limit.
- Use caution in work zones.
- Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers.
- Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or if you are using your windshield wipers due to inclement weather.
Cooks should avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while preparing the holiday meal. Never leave the stove unattended. If you must step out of the kitchen even for a brief period, turn off the stove.
More cooking safety steps are:
- Check food regularly.
- Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on.
- Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.
- Keep anything that can catch fire – pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from the stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
- Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
When it comes to deep frying turkey, you want to take every precaution to keep your family and your home safe. We did a little research and here are some helpful tips to keep your bird golden and home out of danger.
- Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from your home and keep children and pets away. Never leave it unattended.
- Oil must be even and steady at all times to ensure safety.
- Make sure your Thanksgiving turkey is completely thawed and dry. Extra water will cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over.
- Be Prepared – Have a fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry-powder) ready at all times in the event that the oil ignites.
Our JEMM Team wishes you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!