LINCOLN, Neb. — Thanksgiving is the leading day for kitchen fires, with a 380% increase in likelihood, according to Lincoln Fire and Rescue.
MJ Lierman from the department shared tips to prevent fires, emphasizing the importance of keeping kitchens clean and staying attentive while cooking.
“Make sure those kitchens are clean, make sure you’re paying attention. The biggest part of that is keeping an eye on what’s cooking and getting distracted,” Lierman said.
She advised testing smoke detectors before cooking and when family arrives, noting, “So that if you do get distracted and something starts overheating or whatever then you’ll have that opportunity to pay attention and get that taken care of.”
Although Lincoln had no fatalities last year, Lierman warned that overheating is a common issue, with items like dish towels and food wrappers catching fire.
She also recommended plugging appliances into one outlet at a time to avoid electrical issues. Lierman reminded residents to be cautious with candles, ensuring they are in a prominent place and monitored. For grease or oil fires, she advised having a lid for the pan and warned against using water to extinguish the flames.
“Most important thing, call 911 and get out of the house for all the family members,” she said. Lierman concluded, “We will be there rather quickly, but we don’t want to be an uninvited guest to your Thanksgiving dinner this year.”
Read more here: Click Here
