Stay Safe While Cooking This Holiday Season
Thanksgiving can be a memorable time of year for many reasons. But special moments with family and friends can quickly be overshadowed by cooking fires and sewage backups. Here are some tips from the City of Bryan to stay safe and happy this Turkey Day.
Did you know?
Thanksgiving is the No. 1 day of the year for home cooking fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Compared to a normal day, fire departments respond to three times the average number of home cooking fires on Thanksgiving.
Cooking Safety
There are plenty of distractions at Thanksgiving, from guests and entertaining, to the multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time. It’s easy to lose track of what’s happening in the kitchen, but following simple safety steps can make a big difference for your holiday experience. Always remember to dial 911 if things get out of hand.
- Stay in the kitchen. The NFPA says unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires. Don’t leave the kitchen while something is on the stove, especially when oil is in the pan. Don’t leave home when cooking a turkey and check it regularly.
- Watch for children and pets. Don’t let them get close to the stove or other hot food areas. Keep food away from table and counter edges.
- Thaw meat before cooking. Give your turkey or other meat plenty of time to thaw before cooking. This helps avoid longer cooking times and additional stress, which can lead to unsafe decisions in an attempt to cook the meat faster.
- Know your times. Use multiple timers to keep track of cooking times to avoid fires caused by overcooking.
- Keep flammable items away from heat sources. Things like food packages, paper towels and wooden utensils should be at least three feet away.
- Wear proper clothing. Avoid long sleeves or hanging fabric that could catch fire if flames get too close, and use oven mitts.
- Know how to put out a fire. First things first, turn off the heat source. If you own a fire extinguisher, know how to use it. Never use water on a grease fire: keep a lid nearby and slide it over the pan, or use an extinguisher. If the fire is in the oven, keep the door closed to prevent the fire from getting more oxygen, and don’t open it until the fire is completely out.
- Turn off all equipment when done cooking.
Take Extra Caution When Frying Turkey
Frying turkeys is not recommended. Fire departments strongly discourage the use of fryers that use oil, which remain hot for hours and can cause fires or explosions. The NFPA recommends purchasing a pre-fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant, or using a fryer that does not use oil.
If you do choose to fry a turkey, take extra caution:
- Ensure the turkey is completely thawed.
- Always use the fryer outdoors on a flat surface, far away from structures, decks and covered patios.
- No matter the weather, do not fry indoors, including in the garage.
- Monitor the oil temperature. It can easily overheat, smoke and catch fire.
- Keep children and pets away from the fryer, even after cooking is done. Fryer oil remains dangerously hot for hours.
Safe Oil/Grease Disposal
Never dispose of fats, oil, grease or food scraps down your drain or garbage disposal. As fats and oils cool, they congeal and clog pipes. Every little bit of grease can add up, until a buildup blocks your sewer line and causes a backup or overflow.
Sewage blockages and spills are costly to fix and can quickly turn Thanksgiving into a nightmare. Plus, grease that makes it to city treatment plants can be expensive to remove, increasing your future sewer bills. Follow these tips to keep your pipes clean:
- Place paper towels in an empty, sealable container, such as an old tin can or plastic takeout container. Let the oil cool slightly then pour or scrape it into the container on top of the paper towels. Once the grease has cooled and been absorbed, seal the container and dispose of it in the regular trash.
- Scrape food scraps from dishes into the trash.
- Once grease has cooled, use paper towels to wipe leftover oil and grease from dishes, pans and fryers.
- For large amounts of grease, or oil from frying turkey, save and dispose of it at the City of Bryan’s Used Oil and Tire Recycling Center.
Used Oil & Tire Recycling Center
Bryan residents can properly dispose of up to five gallons of cooking oil/grease for free at the Used Oil and Tire Recycling Center, located at 1111 Waco Street. The Center will be closed on Nov. 26-27, but will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 28, with normal hours of Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon. Residential use only: restaurant oil is not accepted.