Keep safety at the top of mind this Thanksgiving

Regardless of whether you are traveling or hosting for the Thanksgiving holiday, remember to keep safety in mind. If you are driving to visit family and friends this holiday weekend, make sure to arrive safely. Ensure you and your passengers are all buckled up, and don't get behind the wheel if you've indulged in alcohol. Celebrate responsibly and plan for a sober ride.

Fire Prevention Tips

We all love a Thanksgiving feast, but it's important to keep safety top of mind when cooking. Nearly four times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day. 

  • Make your cooking area safe. Move things that can burn away from the stove. Turn pot handles toward the back so that they can’t be bumped.
  • Watch what you’re cooking. Use a timer when roasting a turkey or baking pies.
  • Be prepared. Keep a large pan lid or baking sheet handy in case you need to smother a pan fire.
  • If you see smoke or the grease starts to boil in your pan, turn the burner off.
  • Prevent burns. Wear short sleeves when you cook, or roll them up. Don’t lean over the burner. Use potholders and oven mitts to handle hot cookware.
  • Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove. 

Deep frying turkeys is very dangerous—review these safety tips. 

Burglary Prevention Tips 

Planning on going away for the holidays? Keep your home safe while you’re away. Follow these simple tips to help prevent your home from being burglarized:

  • Keep your yard clean, prune shrubbery so windows and doors can be seen.
  • Install adequate lighting for the exterior of your home - motion lighting too.
  • Be sure to lock all doors and windows, including pet doors.
  • Use timers on interior lights when you are away from home, even if you're going out for a short time.
  • Have a trusted neighbor keep an eye on your home and collect any mail, newspapers, and packages.
  • Hold your mail if no one can collect it and have your driveway plowed to not signal the property is unoccupied.
  • Wait to post your travel plans or photos of your trip until you get home.
  • Consider a home alarm system and doorbell camera system.
  • Request a vacation house watch with the police department.
  • Keep your vehicle safe by always locking your doors, even when leaving your vehicle for a short period of time. 

When in doubt, report suspicious activity by calling 911.