Thanksgiving Safety Sourced from https://www.fema.gov/blog/5-tips-gobble-safe-thanksgiving Stay Safe While Cooking
The kitchen is the heart of your Thanksgiving, but it’s also a common place for accidents. From 2017-2019, the average number of reported residential building fires on Thanksgiving Day was more than double the average number of fires in residential buildings on all other days. Keep safety front and center and follow these guidelines when cooking: Never leave your pan unattended. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand. Keep flammable items away from the stove. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so no one can bump them or pull them over. Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby so you can cover the pan if it catches on fire. For additional tips, visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s Cooking Fire Safety webpage.
Prevent Food Poisoning
When preparing food for family and friends, it’s important to keep food fresh and safe to eat. By following food handling guidelines, you can prevent common causes of food poisoning. Keep produce separate from meat, poultry, seafood and eggs in your shopping cart and in your grocery bags. Store and serve food at the right temperature. Food should be stored below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and cooked to the proper internal temperature. Remember to refrigerate food within two hours of purchase and to always thaw food safely in the refrigerator, in a cold-water bath, or in the microwave. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before preparing or serving food. Wash utensils, cutting boards and counters that have touched uncooked or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or flour before using them on anything that will be served raw.
Home Heating Safety
Heating fires remained the second leading cause of home fires in 2021with an estimated 32,200 home heating fires reported across the country. Make sure your home heating system is inspected by a professional to ensure it is in proper working order. Keep wood stoves, fireplaces, and space heaters at a safe distance from flammable materials and never leave them unattended. Maintain your heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected prior to use each year.
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