Agencies warn of holiday cooking dangers

From messy sewer blockages to house fires, there are many ways Thanksgiving can accidentally go from being a time of celebration to an all-out disaster.

Cal Fire, Tuolumne Utilities District and other local agencies offered several cooking and grease-disposal tips this week in hopes that all Mother Lode residents will enjoy a healthy and safe holiday.

Cooking is the leading cause of all fires in the United States on Thanksgiving Day, according to FEMA’S National Data Center, with 54% occurring between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. as most people are preparing their holiday feasts.

The National Fire Protection Association also says that nearly a third of all home cooking fires were caused by unattended cooking equipment.

“Thanksgiving is typically one of the busiest days for Cal Fire to respond to kitchen fires,” Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler stated in a news release. “Having a lot of guests and activity around the house increases the odds for a kitchen fire, so as we celebrate the holiday, it’s important to remain fire vigilant.”

Tuolumne Utilities District and several other agencies that provide sewer or waste disposal services are also warning people about the potential costly dangers of improperly getting rid of fats, oils and other greases that accumulate as they cook.

Pouring grease, fats or vegetable cooking oils down the drain can create clogs in pipes and lead to sewer blockages, which can back up into homes and result in an unpleasant mess that can cost hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars to clean up.

The agencies provided the following tips as part of its annual “Trapping Your Grease” educational campaign around the holidays:

“Enjoy your Thanksgiving festivities, but please celebrate responsibly, wear your seat belt, and always designate a sober, nondrinking driver.”

— CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray

year.

There was one fatal crash and four people arrested for DUI within the jurisdiction of the CHP Sonora-area office during last year’s Thanksgiving MEP, Officer Steve Machado said.

“Enjoy your Thanksgiving festivities, but please celebrate responsibly, wear your seat belt, and always designate a sober, non-drinking driver,” Ray stated in the release about this year’s MEP.