Tips and Tricks to have a Safe Thanksgiving!

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

Happy Thanksgiving from your Hershey/Swatara SERVPRO team!

The best food holiday is right around the corner!! Check out these tips and tricks to have a safe Thanksgiving.

Did you know...

Between 2014 and 2016 an estimated 2,400 residential building fires were reported to fire departments in the U.S. on Thanksgiving day? Cooking fires were 77% responsible for Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings! 

Cooking Safety

• Start the holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven. Remove food and grease buildup from burners, stovetop, and oven.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking and don’t become distracted by guests.
• Stay in the home when cooking turkey, set a timer, and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. Preferably use the back burners.
• Keep a flame-resistant oven mitt, potholder or lid nearby to smother any flames.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• Have working smoke alarms in the home and have an escape plan that the entire family knows if there is a fire.

Turkey Safety

• Completely thaw your turkey before cooking with one of two ways:
  • In cold water: keep the turkey in plastic wrap, submerge completely in cold water and allow to defrost for 1 hour for every pound. Remember to change the cold water frequently!
  • in the refrigerator: Place the turkey on the bottom shelf away from ready-to-eat foods. This is a slower method which will take about 5 hours for every pound, but requires far less attention!
• Remove neck and bag of organ meat from inside the turkey
• Roast uncovered or loosely covered by tinfoil
• Check the temperature! Your meat thermometer should read 170°F for an unstuffed turkey and 180°F for a stuffed turkey.

Following these tips will greatly reduce your risk of a Thanksgiving day fire! 

Need help with fire, mold, or water damage? Call us today! (717) 561-1404