Turkey Safety Tips For Thanksgiving Day From Fire Dept.

The turkey is the star.  Prepare it safely and well and, well, you'll be a star too!

Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham has a few safety suggestions for a fire free feast!

“Home cooking fires happen most often on Thanksgiving Day,” said Markham. “Cooking equipment is involved in almost half of all reported home fires and home fire injuries. It is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.” 

The Yakima Fire Department (YFD)  and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offer the following suggestions for a safe Thanksgiving meal:.

• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove so you can keep an eye on the food
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and children should stay at least three feet away
• 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 – up high in a locked cabinet.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over children, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Test your smoke alarms to make sure they are working.

Call 575-6060 or visit https://yakimafire.com/ for more about the Yakima Fire Department.