Thanksgiving is one of the McClain Insurance team’s favorite times of the year.
We love the . It also marks the start of a holiday season filled with family gatherings.
Thanksgiving is upon us, and with it the turkey, the relatives, the stress, and the injuries. As we all hustle about, it’s easy to make mistakes or have accidents – and sometimes, the thankfulness takes a backseat to the last-minute holiday rush.
It only takes one little distraction to allow enough time for a pot to boil over, for oil get too hot, or a car pulling out in front of us. So, please take a minute to remind yourself of a few Safety Tips to keep yourself and your family safe:
In the Kitchen:
– Kid-Free for Safety: Opt to make the kitchen a kid- and pet-free zone: With dishes, potluck-contributions, and guests putting the final touches on their recipe, it’s easy to collide, trip or spill.
– Watch it. Never leave food unattended while it’s cooking.
– Keep a lid nearby. Having a lid near the stove to quickly smother a fire can make a world of a difference: Earlier this year, one of our agents accidentally set butter in a pot on fire while making Mac N Cheese. The butter overheated while she was distracted with a child. Thankfully, she caught it quickly and extinguished the fire by throwing a lid on the pot. Nothing happened – aside from the scare that makes her cringe to this day.
– Don’t Litter. Keep packaging and plastic lids away from burners to avoid a fire.
– Wear fitting clothing, or opt for short sleeves. Long and loose sleeves can not only catch on fire, but also may catch on handles of pots and pans, spilling hot oil or liquids.
While Frying A Turkey:
– Keep it outside. Always use a turkey fryer outside on a flat, solid surface (Never in a garage or on a wood deck.)
– Watch it. Keep in mind that a turkey fryer does not have a thermostat. That’s why it’s so important to keep a close eye on it to keep the oil from overheating.
– Wear your Safety Gear. Protect yourself against oil splatters with well-insulated pot holders and safety goggles.
– Thaw it completely. Be sure that the turkey has been completely defrosted before frying it (allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds in weight in the refrigerator.) Water doesn’t mix with oil and can cause the frying pot to spill or the oil to explode.
– Don’t use too much oil. Overfilling the pot will cause hot oil to spill when you insert the turkey.
– Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Never put water on a grease fire! Call 911 immediately.
Watch the video below to see the hazards of Frying a Turkey (by SafetyAtHome.com)
On the Road:
– Top off your gas tank before heading on a long road trip. Don’t forget to check fluids and tire pressure.
– Carry a Car Emergency Kit (including a blanket, flashlight, first aid kit, water and snacks, and basic tools) and keep a list with your most important phone numbers, as well as a little cash, in your car.
– Keep Calm. With more than 42 million Americans hitting the road for the holidays, expect to hit traffic. Consider driving late at night or early in the day to avoid traffic.
– Plan Pit Stops. Taking regular breaks won’t just keep you from getting drowsy, but also help you and your family arrive at your destination less stressed.
– Don’t rush. Going somewhere is one thing – coming home is a different story altogether. After a long weekend of family, friends and food, many are ready to be back home. Avoid speeding and adapt your driving to weather and conditions.
There are many ways to cook a turkey, but frying it certainly yields wonderful results!
However, as with many wonderfully special things, they are either hard to get (the sweetest cherries are at the the top of the tree, after all) or difficult to prepare (such as that famous deep-fried turkey.)
That’s why it’s SO IMPORTANT to observe some safety precautions before frying that bird.
- Place fryer in an open area, away from walls, fences, awnings, structures, trees or shrubs.
- Keep at least 2 feet of space between the fryer burner and propane tank.
- Have a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Always keep an eye on the fryer and check the oil temperature frequently.
- Don’t use too much oil to prevent overflow when you place the turkey in the pot. Find out how much oil to use by placing your bird in the empty pot, then filling the pot with water until turkey is covered by 1/2 inch. Take out the turkey and dry it, then mark the water level and empty the pot. Dry the pot completely, then fill it with oil to the mark.
- Before frying, be sure your turkey is completely thawed and thoroughly patted dry.
- Raise and lower the turkey slowly into the fryer. Cover arms and hands when handling food near the fryer.
- Keep a close eye on the fryer and turn it off immediately if it begins to smoke.
- If a fire occurs, call 911 immediately. NEVER put water on an oil fire.
Happy Thanksgiving!