Be Thankful for Safety:
A Cornucopia of Thanksgiving Safety Tips 

Thanksgiving is a time for large family gatherings, a day to focus on blessings and gratitude, and lots of delicious food. However, preparations for all those tasty dishes can lead to injuries, house fires, and even pet poisonings. 

Don’t be a turkey about safety! Gobble up Mehlville’s Thanksgiving safety tips and enjoy a happy, injury-free celebration with friends and family.

Table of Contents

 

Thanksgiving Fire Safety

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking is the first cause of residential fires and related injuries. The source of cooking fires varies, but the kitchen is by far one of the most dangerous areas of the home for fire hazards. Thanksgiving dinner prep often involves socializing, lots of multi-tasking, and perhaps even a few cocktails or glasses of wine (or beer). Cooks may be distracted or overwhelmed, and the inattention may cause some dishes to simmer or bake without regular checks. 

How to Cook a Turkey on Thanksgiving…Safely!

For many families, the turkey is the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal. There are numerous methods for cooking a turkey, but the most popular method is classic roasting. Deep frying turkey has also become a popular alternative cooking method to mix up the flavor of the standard turkey dinner. 

Turkey Fryer Safety

Frying a turkey requires grease. Grease and high heat partner to create a perfect recipe for a fire. To help educate the public about turkey fryer safety, the U.S. Fire Administration features a graphic that illustrates each step in the frying process. Here are the top safety tips from the Fire Administration to deep fry a turkey safely:

• Always place the fryer on a level surface

• Keep fryers at least 10 feet from buildings, cars, and any flammable materials

• Do not place a fryer underneath the eaves of a roof

• Do not overfill the fryer (test the amount of oil needed by using water first)

• Thaw a turkey completely before frying (cold turkeys and hot oil do not mix!)

• Always use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature 

• Use oven mitts to avoid burns

 

Mehlville Fire Protection District and the U.S. Fire Administration recommend using an air fryer when possible. These cooking devices are much safer.

 

Follow These Oven Safety Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving

Sweet potato casserole, dressing, green bean casserole, and many other popular Thanksgiving Day dishes require their time in the oven. Be mindful of every dish and watch cooking times and temperatures closely.

Remember that some casseroles and dishes may boil over as they cook. Use a cookie sheet beneath baking dishes to mitigate food spilling onto burners. Grease pans also help capture spills.

 

Stove Safety Tips for Thanksgiving Gravies and Sauces

Remember that small hands may try to grab pots when cooking gravy and other sauces on the stove. Always turn pot handles inward, this helps mitigate the risk of children grabbing the handles and spilling the contents. 

• Watch the Heat Settings
  Be mindful of burner settings. Follow recipe instructions, and don’t rush cooking by increasing the heat. Boiling liquids too rapidly spills and may lead to contents dripping onto heat elements and igniting.
• Keep Flammable Items Away From the Stove
  Always keep towels and other items away from the hot stove. Burners can ignite flammable fabrics quickly. 

 

Thanksgiving Pet Safety

Many fur babies love to enjoy a helping of Thanksgiving dinner. Be cautious about what you feed your pet from the table. Some of the most popular dishes on Thanksgiving can be toxic to pets. 

What Foods Are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs?

Not all human food is safe for our furry friends. If any Thanksgiving dishes contain these ingredients, do NOT feed them to a pet:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Raisins/grapes
• Chocolate
• Xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
• Avocado (too much fat!)
• Cherries
• Raw yeast dough
• Macadamia nuts
• Mushrooms 
• Mustard seeds
• Walnuts

Animals also should NEVER eat any green parts of potatoes. The green parts of potatoes are toxic. Humans also should not consume them.

 

Thanksgiving Leftovers Safety

Who doesn’t love a serving of Thanksgiving leftovers? Thanksgiving dinner always tastes good the next day, but when is eating leftovers considered unsafe?

Most leftovers can be frozen for several months. If food is stored in the refrigerator, eat leftovers within three days. Toss out any leftovers that look or smell odd, even if they are less than three days old. 

 

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Mehlville Fire Protection District wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Practice good safety habits in the kitchen, and don’t feed pets any foods that can make them sick.