City of Iowa City recently issued the following announcement.
Thanksgiving is nearly here and across the community, people will be gathering to eat and share their gratitude. It's also a time to be extra mindful of safety in your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving nationwide than any other day of the year. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve rank second and third, respectively.
The Iowa City Fire Department wants everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving and is reminding the community of these tips from the National Fire Protection Association:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top 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 three 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 knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, 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.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks, or bags.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
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