Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year when families can come together and share a delicious feast. But did you know Thanksgiving is also the top day for cooking accidents? According to the United States Fire Administration, more than 4,000 fires occur in American households every year on Thanksgiving day, and nearly 150 serious hot-oil burns have been reported in the last decade from popular turkey deep-fryers.
With so much cooking going on, it is important to remember a few safety tips to help you avoid preventable accidents and injuries:
- Never leave the stove unattended. Whether you’re cooking something on the stovetop or roasting a turkey in the oven, keep an eye on cooking appliances while they are on.
- When leaving foods in the oven or on the stove for long periods of time, use a cooking timer to remind you when to shut the appliance.
- When cooking, avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling accessories. Also, keep long hair pulled back.
- Keep small children and pets away from the oven, stove, or barbeque grill
- Before you begin cooking your feast, make sure that all of your home’s smoke detectors and CO2 detectors are in good working order.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-reach place in your kitchen.
- Never leave lit candles unattended. Keep them in a safe, isolated area.
- If small appliances are not being used, like a coffee maker or blender, do not leave them plugged in.
- If a fire does start, do not attempt to put it out using water. This can make things worse!
- If a fire ignites or you smell smoke, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
By taking these safety precautions, you can ensure that your family and guests have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Have You Been Injured in a Cooking Accident? Contact the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley Today!
Cooking accidents can have disastrous consequences, including serious injury and property damage. Some cooking accidents are truly accidents, but sometimes they are the result of other factors, like an improperly designed and unsafe piece of cooking equipment or a faulty CO2 or smoke detector.
If you or a family member has sustained injury in any type of accident, turn to the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley for assistance. A Northern California personal injury lawyer at our firm is prepared to review your case free of charge and help you determine whether you are eligible to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Get in touch with our firm today at (530) 413-0245.