Holiday Safety
Halloween Safety
Thanksgiving would not be the same without turkeys, yet very few people take the time to learn how to handle them properly. Any poultry needs special attention when handling. Thawing a frozen turkey the proper way is important to the safety of your family.
Never thaw a turkey at room temperature because this promotes the growth of dangerous bacteria. The safest way to thaw a turkey is to thaw it in the refrigerator. You should do this with the turkey still in its’ own unopened wrapper breast facing up and placed on a tray. The accepted rule of thumb for time is one day refrigerator thawing for every four pounds of turkey.
Fire safety is just as important during the holidays as it is all year round. In fact, it’s even more important because of the extra responsibilities that special occasions bring. Remember, fire never takes a holiday!
- Fire safety is just important during the holidays as it is all year. In fact, it’s even more important because of the extra responsibilities that special occasion brings.
- Here is some safety tips to help keep your family safe during Halloween.
- Costumes and decorations should be made of flame-resistant material. Avoid wearing loose, flammable clothing.
- Each mask, wig, and costume should be easily seen at night.
- Use battery-powered lights for jack-o-lanterns, not candles.
- Keep decorations away from sources of heat, such as exposed bulbs and open flames.
- Have an adult check all candy before children eat it.
Thanksgiving would not be the same without turkeys, yet very few people take the time to learn how to handle them properly. Any poultry needs special attention when handling. Thawing a frozen turkey the proper way is important to the safety of your family.
Never thaw a turkey at room temperature because this promotes the growth of dangerous bacteria. The safest way to thaw a turkey is to thaw it in the refrigerator. You should do this with the turkey still in its’ own unopened wrapper breast facing up and placed on a tray. The accepted rule of thumb for time is one day refrigerator thawing for every four pounds of turkey.
- Start holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven.
- Keep the kitchen off-limits to young children and adults that are not helping with food preparations to lessen the possibility of kitchen mishaps.
- When cooking, do not wear clothing with loose sleeves or dangling jewelry. The clothing can catch on fire and the jewelry can catch on pot handles, causing spills and burns.
- Cook on the back burners when possible and turn pot handles in so they don’t extend over the edge of the stove
- Never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, turn off the stove or have someone else watch what is being cooked.
- Keep Thanksgiving decorations and kitchen clutter away from sources of direct heat.
- Candles are often part of holiday decorations. Candles should never be left burning when you are away from home, or after going to bed. Candles should be located where children will not be tempted to play with them, and where guests will not accidentally brush against them. The candle holder should be completely noncombustible and difficult to knock over. The candle should not have combustible decorations around it.
Fire safety is just as important during the holidays as it is all year round. In fact, it’s even more important because of the extra responsibilities that special occasions bring. Remember, fire never takes a holiday!
Here are some things to remember over the holidays:
- Start your holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven.
- Keep kitchen clutter and loose articles of clothing away from the stove’s heat.
- Keep cooking pot handles turned in, away from children’s reach.
- Keep all appliances in good working order.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Never poor water on a grease fire, instead cover the burning pan or pot with a lid.
- Water your Christmas tree everyday.
- Make sure your Christmas tree is fresh (shedding needles are a sign of a dry tree).
- Never overload electrical outlets.
- Make sure artificial trees are flame retardant.
- Place trees away from direct heat source.
- Always unplug lights before going to bed.
- Candles are often part of holiday decorations. Candles should never be left burning when you are away from home, or after going to bed. Candles should be located where children will not be tempted to play with them, and where guests will not accidentally brush against them. The candle holder should be completely noncombustible and difficult to knock over. The candle should not have combustible decorations around it.
- Only buy electrical lights approved by a national testing lab.
- Never decorate a metal tree with electrical lights.
- Always use lights that are appropriate for the situation (indoor/outdoor use only).