3 weeks Ago By Aisha Khan
As families across the nation prep for the culinary centerpiece of Thanksgiving, Queen Creek Fire & Medical (QCFMD) is sparking awareness about the increased risk of home cooking fires during the holiday season. According to data from the National Fire Protection Association highlighted by QCFMD, Thanksgiving takes the unfortunate top spot for home cooking fires. To help keep celebrations from turning into emergencies, the department advises residents to follow a set of safety tips, ensuring everyone can enjoy their turkey without extra fumes.
QCFMD underscores the importance of staying present when you're frying, grilling, or boiling food. Kitchens should not be left unattended; if necessary, they recommend always turning off the stove before stepping away. A completely thawed turkey, clear of any ice, is another key detail in these safety guidelines, as is keeping children a safe distance from hot surfaces and objects.
And for those unexpected pan fires, the department's mantra is clear: "place a lid on the pan and turn off the burner." Queen Creek's proactive approach extends beyond immediate fire prevention. Emphasizing environmental consciousness, they offer a free recycling program for cooking oil – a far better alternative than the havoc that improper disposal can wreak on plumbing and water quality.
Locals are encouraged to bring their used oil to the year-round grease collection sites, including Fire Station 2 and the QC Recycle Center, according to the Town's announcement . Beyond the kitchen, keeping smoke alarms up to date is another must, with QCFMD recommending installations in key areas of the home and monthly tests. In fact, they suggest to always replace alarms that hit the decade mark in age.
Anyone looking for extra safety resources can find a wealth of information on the Town of Queen Creek's official website, which also features a way to stay connected with the community's safety updates via social media channels like Facebook. If residents encounter non-emergency issues, the Town urges the use of their SeeClickFix service for prompt reporting. For media inquiries, Constance Halonen-Wilson stands as the go-to Public Information Officer.
As households gear up for the festivities, heed these guidelines, and give thanks for a fire-free holiday..
