Thanksgiving fire safety tips on keeping your family safe during the holiday

A Local fire educator is presenting tips for families to stay safe this Thanksgiving holiday.

Kingsport Fire Dept. Public Education and Information Officer Barry Brickey says some important protocols to follow while cooking in the kitchen include staying close by to the food while it is cooking, make sure candles, matches, and lighters are out of a child’s reach, and check smoke alarms to be sure they are properly working.

Brickey says Thanksgiving Day is the number one day for home cooking fires, while in 2018, fire departments across the country responded to nearly 2,000 home cooking fires on the holiday.

A list of complete Thanksgiving safety tips can be found below:

*Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
*Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
*Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
*Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
*Keep knives out of the reach of children.
*Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
*Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
*Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
*Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
*Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.