Keep fire safety foremost for family holiday cooking

Home fires kill more than 2,900 people in the United States every year and there are more than 200,000 people seen in emergency rooms for burn injuries. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Fire departments around the U.S. recently finished a successful fire prevention week campaign at the beginning of October. The theme this year was "Stay fire smart! Don't get burned." Team Hill fire officials would like to continue this success throughout the holiday season.

Most families will spend a good portion of their holiday preparing those passed-down family recipes. There are a few safety precautions to think about while in the kitchen. Prior to the holidays, it is a good idea to clean the oven and the stove. The excess build up of grease can cause an unwanted fire. Never leave your cooking unattended. Turn your pot handles inward so they can't be bumped on accident and so children can't grab them. Watch your potholders and other combustibles so they don't get too close to your heat source. Be careful for hot steam when removing lids. Always have the proper fitting lid nearby, even if you don't plan on using the lid for cooking, in case of an accidental grease pan fire. If you have a grease fire, slide the lid over the pan to smother the fire and turn off your source of heat. Baking soda is safe to use on a grease fire, but never use any grain product such as flour. Also, never use water on a grease fire. If you have a fire in the oven, turn the oven off. The most common and best fire extinguisher to use is the combination ABC type. Know where it is located and how to use it. Any fire on the base, even an extinguished one, must be reported by calling 911.

Another family holiday tradition is deep-fried turkey. There are common mistakes made while attempting this feat. These mistakes include not being located a safe distance from buildings or other combustible materials. They are easily tipped over especially if they aren't placed on a flat surface. If the turkey isn't completely thawed, the excess water will cause the pot to violently boil over when the water reaches the bottom of the pot; leading to a fire hazard. The same fire hazard exists when the pot is overfilled with oil. Overheating is another common hazard because most fryers don't come with thermostats. Hot oil can injure eyes and severe burns are a possibility with the hot pot, handles and lids. It also takes time for the oil to cool down.

According to Underwriters Laboratories, or UL, safety experts, concerns are running high about backyard chefs "sacrificing safety for good taste." UL has performed tests on these fryers and found that the "great-tasting birds" are not worth the risk. One problem is the fryers do not have a temperature regulator. As a result of these tests, UL has pulled its safety certification from turkey fryers. Also, after a fire here, the Hill AFB Fire Department has prohibited the use of turkey fryers on base.

Remember, turkey fryers have been prohibited on base. If you're going to use one off base, please be safe. Have a safe holiday.

Boyer Hill Military Housing bans fryers

Mark Pace, president of Boyer Hill Military Housing and acting property manager, reminds residents that turkey deep fryers are also not allowed on BHMH areas. "They are considered dangerous," he said in reminding residents of the risks inherent in their use.