Let's Talk Turkey

The Thanksgiving holiday is typically a time when family and friends gather to share a meal and give thanks. As preparations for the busy holiday get underway, firefighters have some important tips for safe cooking practices.

Unsafe cooking practices are the leading cause of residential fires. Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services and the National Fire Protection Association are calling on all cooks to include the following fire safety tips in their recipes:

• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, remember to check it regularly; use a timer to remind yourself that something is on the stove or in the oven
• Keep anything that could catch fire, such as oven mitts, wood utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains away from your stovetop, oven, or any other heat producing appliance in the kitchen
• Never wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking; remember to stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch on fire and cool a burn injury with water until the pain goes away
• Never attempt to cook if you are extremely tired or if you have consumed alcoholic beverages
• Keep children and pets at a safe distance away from the oven or stove when cooking
• Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home

If you're planning to deep-fry your holiday bird, please remember to follow proper fire safety precautions. Be sure to read the instructions for your fryer and completely thaw your turkey or chicken before frying it. Watch a video to see a first-hand demonstration of what can happen if you don't follow all instructions.