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Naperville
Monday, October 7, 2024

Fire Prevention 24-7 – Thanksgiving fire safety

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Did you know that Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment?

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, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home.

  • 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 children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
  • 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 floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, purses or bags.
  • Keep knives out of 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 – up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.

Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Movies, games, puzzles or books can keep them busy. Kids can also get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen.

Finally, as Fire Prevention Month comes to a close, I would like to remind all of our residents to please test all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Press the button, HOLD it in and wait to hear a beep. Then go around and do the same to every single detector. If you can’t remember the last time you changed the batteries, do that too! Don’t take them for granted. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will save your life!

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Soraya McLaughlin
Soraya McLaughlin
Soraya McLaughlin is the Naperville Fire Department Community Education Specialist. Contact her via email at mclaughlins@naperville.il.us.
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