103°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
When household products overpromise and actually deliver

Every now and again you come across a product that makes you stand back and say, “Wow, that worked way better than I thought it would!” These gleeful moments come as a welcome surprise when we’re often disappointed by products that overpromise and under-deliver. When I find these little gems, I store them away in my mental DIY toolbox. This past month, I was happy to add a few more “must have” products that exceeded my expectations.

Summer is a time to be safe

It’s a safe bet that the one thing we all have in common every summer is managing the extreme heat and our body’s reaction to the excessive temperature prevalent in our geographic location.

Free fishing fun

Logan Davis, along with his kids Winter and Maverick, tried their best to catch a fish Saturday, along with all the many others who enjoyed the city’s free fishing day at the pond at Veterans Memorial Park.

Ordinance promotes cleanliness, accessibility of public places

Individuals camping in public spaces has increased dramatically in the past few years across the nation. On May 27 the city of Boulder City joined the cities of Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, and Sparks, along with Clark, Washoe, and Nye counties in passing a measure to expand the prohibition on camping in public places within city limits. The new ordinance goes into effect on June 19, 2025.

And all that jazz (in the park)

A relatively small but appreciative crowd turned out Saturday evening for Jazz in the Park, sponsored by the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department and the Las Vegas Jazz Society. The evening featured the Marlane Coker Quintet and guest at Bicentennial Park.

Flushing faux pas may lead to clogs, costly repairs

When it comes to plumbing clogs, we can definitely apply the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”…or in this case, a quart of Liquid Plumr.

Art exhibition to showcase work of Connie Ferraro

Connie Ferraro has worn many hats in her life. They have included Broadway dancer, actress, wife of longtime Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro and these days, artist.

Year ending on high note at Mitchell Elementary

From the first day to the last, it takes a great deal of energy to get through a school year. The students, staff, and families are ceaseless in their efforts to ensure that we have a great year from beginning to end. We are successful because we are supported by our community.

Mental health in an aging population

The American Psychiatric Association defines mental illness as health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviors.

Sunflower Breakfast celebrates King’s parent volunteers

Boulder City’s commitment to community was on full display at this year’s annual Sunflower Breakfast, a heartwarming event dedicated to honoring the incredible volunteers who help our school thrive.