61°F
weather icon Clear

Fire department tips help prevent holiday cooking mishaps

Thanksgiving day is here and the Boulder City Fire Department has a few helpful fire prevention tips for the holidays.

Over 2,000 cooking fires are reported each year on Thanksgiving, according to the United States Fire Administration, so knowing how to stay safe could go a long way to ensure that the entire family has a fun and flame-free holiday.

Boulder City Fire Chief Kevin Nicholson said that following these quick and easy safety tips will help residents celebrate a fun and safe thanksgiving.

“These are simple and important steps that will can help you have an incident-free Thanksgiving,” he said. “I don’t just want to highlight one thing because everything on this list is important safety aspect.”

Nicholson also wished everyone a happy and safe holiday season from him and the fire department.

Cooking in the kitchen

n Keep a close watch on your cooking. You should never leave cooking food unattended.

n Keep food packaging and other combustibles away from burners and heat sources.

n Heat cooking oil slowly and watch it closely; it can ignite quickly.

n Don’t wear loose sleeves while working over hot stove burners — they can melt, ignite or catch on handles of pots and pans spilling hot oil and other liquids.

n Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot foods or drinks are prepared or carried.

n Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.

Tips for deep frying a turkey

n Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.

n Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.

n Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.

n Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.

n Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.

n To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.

n Use well-insulated pot holders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.

n Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard. The National Turkey Federation recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds in weight.

n Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.

Contact reporter Max Lancaster at mlancaster @bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow him on Twitter @MLancasterBCR.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Aloha From Boulder City

This past Friday, Boulder City Company Store teamed with the Las Vegas-based Manea Events to bring an authentic luau to town. The event featured music, food and entertainment from the islands. The highlight was the fire-dance performance to end the evening.

Holidays or holidazed: The season has begun

Let’s go from Halloween and pumpkin-spiced everything to a four-week stint of non-stop holidaymaking with a late Thanksgiving this year on Nov. 27, Hanukkah from the evening of Dec. 14-22 and Christmas on Dec. 25, and then we’ll ring in 2026! Whoa! Let’s catch a breath!

Community support key at Mitchell

As I am preparing to write this week’s column, I am reviewing our school calendar and thinking about our community support. I am so grateful for our traditions and community.

Popular block party moving location

It’s no secret that Boulder City residents enjoy their community events, especially in fall. One more to mark on the calendar is the annual street dance/block party that in recent years has been hosted by The Dillinger owner Grant Turner. It’s set for Saturday, Oct. 25 beginning at 2 p.m. and ending around 11:30 p.m.

King Elementary launches into learning at STARBASE

Fifth-graders from Martha P. King Elementary School recently took part in an unforgettable learning experience at STARBASE Henderson, a hands-on STEM program hosted at a Department of Defense lab.

BCR offers first-ever holiday magazine

With fall comes cooler temperatures and a crispness in the air as the holidays quickly approach.

Rating reflects teachers’ commitment and determination of students

There’s no better way to begin this school year than by celebrating a truly incredible accomplishment of Garrett Junior High School officially earning a 5-Star school rating. This distinction represents the highest level of achievement under Nevada’s School Performance Framework and recognizes not only strong academic performance, but also growth, teamwork, and a positive school culture.

Everything from A to Z available at Country Store

Whether you call it a garage sale, yard sale or tag sale, Grace Community Church’s Country Store is one of the largest of its kind in the area.

Homecoming: Small town tradition

There’s something special about Homecoming in Boulder City.

Student achievement main focus at Mitchell

Mitchell Elementary has enjoyed a great beginning to our school year as our staff continues to serve our students and families as their children learn and grow their leadership skills.