Thanksgiving Safety Tips from the Bismarck Fire Department

T he Bismarck Fire Department would like to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with more than three times the daily average for such incidents. Please following these few simple safety tips so you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don't trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffeemaker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children - up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

For more helpful safety information please visit NFPA's website.