The Bakersfield Fire Department and Kern County Fire Department are teaming up to provide timely safety reminders to our community.
The 2024 Holiday Season is Here!
As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, spending time with friends and family and eating to our hearts’ content, let’s prioritize safety to protect ourselves, our homes, and our loved ones.
Did you know? Cooking fires are three times more likely to occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of these fires, with the majority starting in cooking oil, fat, or grease. Armed with this knowledge, let’s stay vigilant while preparing our holiday feast.
Safety Tip #1: Always keep a working fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
Planning to Fry Your Turkey? Turkey fryers are a popular way to prepare that perfect bird, but they can pose serious risks if not used properly. Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind:
- Turkey fryers can tip over easily, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area. Make sure your turkey fryer is on a sturdy, level surface and do not move it once it’s in use. Make sure it is at least 10 feet from your home and not under roof eaves.
- An overfilled cooking pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in. Test the amount of oil you need by filling your fryer with water. Place the turkey in the pot – making sure the water doesn’t get too close to the top. Measure the water and use that as a guide for filling the pot with oil.
- A partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter when you put it in the cooking pot. Make sure your turkey is fully thawed, without frost on it before you fry it.
- Without thermostat controls, deep fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire. If your turkey fryer does not have a thermostat, use a kitchen thermometer that attaches to the side of the pot. This will help you monitor the temperature of the oil.
- The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot. Always use protective oven mitts. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet from the turkey fryer.
- Consider using an electric or air fryer.
From all of us at the Kern County Fire Department and Bakersfield Fire Department, we wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
