Enjoy Holiday Baking and Cooking, safely!

This is such a fun time of year to make memories with family and friends, cooking with children and grandchildren is special. Sharing our treats with neighbors, friends and family is also such a blessing to those who give and those who receive.

However all those memories will not be good if you are not careful, so here are some tips from Profesionals who can help us avoid accidents this holiday season!

Unsafe cooking practices are the leading cause of residential fires, officials said.

Here are some tips offered by Fire and Emergency Services and the National Fire Protection Association:

• Do check food regularly: If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, remember to check it regularly; use a timer to remind yourself that something is on the stove or in the oven
• Don't place flammable items near heat: Keep anything that could catch fire, such as oven mitts, wood utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains away from your stovetop, oven, or any other heat producing appliance in the kitchen
• Do wear appropriate clothing when cooking: Never wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking; remember to stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch on fire and cool a burn injury with water until the pain goes away
• Don't lose sleep: Never attempt to cook if you are extremely tired or if you have consumed alcoholic beverages
• Do keep Fido and the kiddos safe: Keep children and pets at a safe distance away from the oven or stove when cooking
• Do check your safety mechanisms: Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home

VERY IMPORTANT: If you plan to deep-fry your holiday turkey, chicken, duck, or anything else, remember to follow proper fire safety precautions. read all instructions for your fryer and completelythaw your meat before frying it.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season!