Drugs 101: Drug Trends for Ocean County Parents
October 31, 2022Drugs 101: Drug Trends for Ocean County Parents
November 14, 2022
As the Thanksgiving meal is the centerpiece of the holiday, it’s not surprising that most Thanksgiving dangers lurk in the kitchen.
* Fire Safety
A big culprit for accidents and injuries during the holiday is fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires in the U.S., followed by Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. In 2016, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,570 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, with unattended cooking being the leading contributing factor in fire injuries and deaths.
* So as you begin to plan your menu, consider the following fire safety tips:
If you are frying, grilling or broiling food, never leave it unattended—stay in the kitchen. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Stay at home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
Keep children at least 3 feet away from a hot stove. Even the steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
If you are deep-frying your turkey, never use the fryer indoors, keep it a safe distance from buildings and flammable objects, be sure your turkey is completely thawed and dry, keep children and pets away, and be mindful of splashing or spattering oil.
Clear the floor so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
Keep anything that can catch fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains—away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
Make sure your smoke alarms are working.
Never dispose of hot grease in the garbage. Instead, let it cool and then discard it in a covered metal can (like a coffee can).
Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
Have a fire extinguisher on hand and know how to use it.
MAKE SURE YOUR FOOD IS SAFE!
Keep food safe to prevent food-borne illness from ruining your Thanksgiving dinner.
Be sure to:
* Wash hands and food-contact surfaces often.
* Keep raw meat and juices away from ready-to-eat food.
* Cook foods to proper temperatures. Cook turkey or stuffing to 165°F.
* Refrigerate perishable food within two hours.
Thanksgiving Safety - NJ Poison Control Center (njpies.org)
Kitchen Safety Tips for Thanksgiving 2022 - TSS Safety (tss-safety.com)
