The Cutchogue Fire District along with the Chiefs, Officers, and Members of the Cutchogue Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to wish the community a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday.

As families across the nation celebrate Thanksgiving, the Cutchogue Fire Department along with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) would like to offer the following safety message.

Keep fire safety top of mind when preparing your feast this Thanksgiving, the number-one day for U.S. home cooking fires

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is urging the public to make fire safety a priority when preparing this year’s Thanksgiving feast. The association’s latest Home Cooking Fires report shows that Thanksgiving is the peak day for U.S. home cooking fires followed by the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Thanksgiving often involves cooking multiple dishes at once, which can be particularly tricky with lots of distractions in and around the kitchen, from getting ready for guests and managing family needs to entertaining when everyone arrives – these types of activities make it all too easy to lose track of what’s cooking, and that’s where a lot of fires tend to happen.

CFD & NFPA offers these tips and recommendations for safely cooking this Thanksgiving:

Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.

When cooking a turkey, or other items in the oven, stay in your home and check on it regularly.

Set a timer on your stove or phone to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.

Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels away from direct contact with the cooking area.

Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that could come in contact with a heat source.

Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire.

For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.

Keep children at least three feet away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is being prepared or served. Steam or spills from these items can cause severe burns.

Being vigilant in the kitchen remains critical to ensuring a fire-safe holiday.

In addition, NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers, as these can lead to severe burns, injuries, and property damage. For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends grocery stores, food retailers, and restaurants that sell deep-fried turkey.

The Cutchogue Fire Department remains committed to supporting you with the resources you need to minimize risk and help prevent loss, injuries, and death from fire, electrical, and other hazards.

We are very appreciative and thankful of your support and kindness throughout the years

Happy Thanksgiving form CFD