Salisbury Fire Department

Press Releases


Thanksgiving Fire Safety
Thursday, November 17, 2016

The Thanksgiving holiday is quickly approaching us.  This holiday typically marks a time spent with family and friends, and lots of good food.  The Salisbury Fire Department would like to take a few minutes and remind you of some safe cooking principles to follow, when you are preparing this year’s Thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.  Actually, the number of home cooking fires DOUBLES on Thanksgiving Day.  Many people enjoy deep frying their turkey.  However, these devices can easily cause a fire that can severely damage your home.

If you decide to deep fry your turkey, keep these safety tips in mind:

  • Use a fryer with thermostat controls. This will ensure the oil does not become over heated.
  • Thaw your turkey completely. Ice on the bird will cause the oil to splatter.
  • Don’t overfill the pot with oil. If you do, the oil will overflow when you add the turkey causing a fire hazard.
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fryer.
  • Also, always use the fryer outdoors.

Along with the turkey, goes stuffing and potatoes.  Keep these tips in mind when you are preparing these most popular side dishes.

  • Always stand by the stove when you are boiling the potatoes or frying the onions for the stuffing.  Being close to the food, while it is cooking, makes it easier to contain spills or identify hazardous conditions.
  • Keep the area around the stove clear of packaging, paper towels, and dish cloths; anything that can burn.
  • Be sure to clean up any spills as they happen.
  • Be prepared. Keep a large pan lid or baking sheet handy in case you need to smother a pan fire.
  • Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove so you don’t bump them and so that children do not grab them and pull them down on top of themselves.

Whatever your choice of food and location for celebrating Thanksgiving Day this year, please make it as fire-safe as possible.  The tips listed above are for your safety and the safety of those that you love.  Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Salisbury Fire Department.