Red Cross reminds the holidays are high time for kitchen fires

Posted on November 20, 2023
Mara Thompson, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross in Illinois, says in addition to having a pan lid ready to smother a fire there are other ways to prepare. (WJBC file photo)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The men and women of the fire department may be nice people, but you probably do not want them as guests for Thanksgiving dinner.

The American Red Cross says once a fire starts, you have about two minutes to get out. That’s why you should be aware of some simple safety tips:

  • Keep children and pets away from the stove.
  • Don’t wear loose, long sleeves at the stove.
  • Have a pan lid or cookie sheet available to smother a fire.
  • Test your smoke detector befor ecooking.

“We respond to about 60,000 disasters across the nation each year. A majority of those are home fires, and a majority of home fires start in the kitchen,” said Mara Thompson, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross in Illinois.

www.redcross.org/fire

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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