PENNSYLVANIA — Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. But it can also be a time for accidents. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, with one occurring every three minutes. That’s why Pennsylvania Acting Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys, Department of Health Acting Secretary and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson, and Pennsylvania Acting State Fire Commissioner Charles McGarvey joined Harrisburg Fire Bureau officials on Thursday to offer safety advice for the upcoming holiday.
“This holiday, as we gather to celebrate with loved ones, safety for yourself, your family and your home should be a top priority,” said Acting Commissioner Humphreys. “In the event of an unfortunate accident, homeowners insurance and renters insurance will cover certain damages, but it is best to follow safety guidelines to ensure that the worst does not happen in the first place.”
So what are some of these safety guidelines? The Harrisburg Fire Bureau offered the following tips:
- read the turkey fryer owner’s manual thoroughly for proper set up and safety tips
- make sure the turkey is completely thawed before frying (hot oil and ice/water do not mix)
- use the correct amount of oil; overfilled fryers increase the likelihood of oil spilling out of the pot and hitting the burner causing flames to engulf the entire unit
- never leave the fryer unattended; many fryers lack thermostats to prevent overheating
- do not deep fry your turkey inside your garage, on your porch or deck, or inside your home
- have an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby; never use water to extinguish an oil fire
- keep children and pets away from all cooking surfaces
- use proper hand protection; lids and handles of the cooking pot get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards
- ensure full attention is dedicated to cooking; do not consume alcohol while cooking
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department offers a variety of resources to help keep you safe this holiday season. Be sure to visit osfc.pa.gov/BeFireSafePA for more seasonal fire safety tips, and the turkey fryer factsheet.
For additional resources regarding homeowners or renters insurance, visit www.insurance.pa.gov., or call the Insurance Department’s Consumer Services Bureau at 1-877-881-6388. And don’t forget – our team is here to help!
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