By RANDY RICHMAN
It’s that time of year again: cooler temperatures, shorter days, changing our clocks, and the holiday season! Be sure to keep these fall fire safety tips in mind, to have a safe one.
Change your smoke detector batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. (The U.S. Fire Administration recommends smoke detectors be tested monthly, batteries changed twice a year, and detectors replaced every 10 years.)
Establish, and practice with your family, a fire escape plan that includes a designated meeting area outside the home.
Don’t leave cooking food unattended on the stove.
Looking to deep fry your Thanksgiving bird? Keep these tips in mind:
- Keep outdoor fryers off decks, out of garages and a safe distance away from trees and other structures.
- Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
- Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.
- Wear goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to protect your hands and arms, and keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher close by.
Randy Richman is part-time Brookfield firefighter and paramedic, firefighting instructor and regional director for hyperbaric medicine for Shared Health Service Inc.
