As Thanksgiving Day approaches we wanted to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe and happy holiday.

These IAFF tips will help keep our community safe this holiday season. It can get chaotic with preparation for meals and visitors stopping in, so pay careful attention when you are cooking in the kitchen. The greatest number of home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day with 34 percent of accidents happening because of unattended equipment. Please keep an eye on the stove and keep children away from that area while you cook.

Fried turkeys are popular on Thanksgiving, so use the fryer carefully and use it outdoors and away from any structures. 41 percent of fires involving turkey fryers happen on Thanksgiving.

These precautions can help make cooking with a turkey fryer safe:

•         Make sure the turkey is completely thawed out – ice and water that mixes into the hot oil can cause a flare up

•         Use the correct amount of oil

•         Keep kids and pets at a safe distance

•         Keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher close by

•         Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow

•         Choose a smaller turkey for frying – 8 to 10 pounds is best

_{- Source IAFF}