Thanksgiving safety tips from MCFRS

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment? Here are some important safety tips for Thanksgiving from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service (MCFRS).

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people in the home. 

• Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Games, puzzles or books can keep them busy. Kids can get inolved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outside of the kitchen.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep kids at least 3 feet away from the hot stove.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. 
• Keep the kitchen floor clear so you don't trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child. 
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children by putting them up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle. 
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button. 

Call 311 for a FREE Home Safety Check or visit www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe.