What to know before cooking on Thanksgiving Day
Cooking a turkey on Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful tradition.
But it can also be a tricky maneuver with so many fixings being cooked at the same time, which may also be the reason more home fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year, according to a report by AAA-The Auto Club Group.
In fact the sheer number of cooks hitting the kitchen on Thanksgiving results in a national home fire risk three times that of an average day. And with an increasing number of Michigan residents staying home for the holiday as part of the largest decrease in season travel since the Great Recession in 2008, many folks may be cooking a turkey on their own for the first time.
“In 2020, the name of the game for Thanksgiving is protecting other people,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAAThe Auto Club Group. “That means staying home and, if you’re cooking, taking good care to avoid common kitchen missteps that can strain our health system and expose first responders to even greater risk.”
Cooking is the leading cause of all residential building fires and injuries, and the No. 1 cause for the fires is leaving the kitchen unattended, something that’s easily avoided.
Here are a few more tips from AAA safety experts for those looking to cook this Thanksgiving:
• Make sure you have a fully functional fire extinguisher in case of a fire.
• If you must leave the kitchen, have someone on cooking duty to avoid a fire or an overcooked meal. If you have to leave, turn off cooking equipment first.
• Decrease the stress by preparing some dishes ahead of time such as peeling the potatoes or stuffing the bird, and limit distractions during your cooking time. That means watching America’s Thanksgiving Parade, making phone calls and doing chores before or after you’re done cooking.
• The best way to put out a grease fire is with a metal lid or baking soda. Never use water. Make sure to turn off the heat before trying to smother the fire.
• If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed.
• Fight the urge to have the children playing in the kitchen while you’re cooking as the traffic of loved ones increases the risk for accidents. Play it safe and put snacks, games and toys in another room.
• Designate a “kitchen driver” if you need to step away from cooking for any reason.
• If you’re cooking, take the beads, scarves and other dangling accessories off to avoid them catching on fire.
• Oven mitts are necessary but flammable materials including dish towels and paper products should be kept away from heat.
The oven is the traditional method for cooking a turkey but there are cooks who might opt to fry their turkey outside. If that’s your choice remember these key steps:
Keep the fryer away from the home – It should also be set up on a stable and noncombustible surface that’s at least ten feet away from your home. This method is not made to be used indoors, that includes your garage, or on a deck or patio as that creates a serious fire risk. You might also avoid operating the fryer near or under trees. The best spot is an open space away as far from your home as possible, and never place your fryer directly on your lawn or dirt.
Be careful not to overfill the fryer - Before beginning the process carefully read the owner’s manual and directions. There is a measurement line for a reason, only fill it to the line, even if you think you may need more oil. Anything more may cause it to overflow, especially when you add the turkey. Spilling hot oil presents a serious burn hazard and fire risk.
Crucial step: You must properly thaw your turkey - If you try and deep fry a frozen turkey, it will explode and you will start a fire. A frozen turkey must be completely defrosted before frying, so read thawing directions when you buy your bird. If you are thawing it in the fridge, leave the turkey to thaw for six hours per pound, or three days for a 10-12-pound bird. If you are thawing your turkey in cold water in your sink, let it thaw for 30 minutes per pound – and make sure to change the water every 30 minutes to ensure it stays cold.