Missouri Fire Marshal promoting fire safety this Thanksgiving

KSDK -- A report by the National Fire Protection Association shows Thanksgiving is the worst day of the year for home cooking fires, State Fire Marshal Randy Cole said Tuesday.

Cole is cautioning Missourians to be extra cautious this Thanksgiving to avoid becoming another sad statistic.

He cites the following tried and true safety tips to prevent a home cooking fire:

--Keep cooking appliances clean of grease build-up which can easily ignite.

--Applying a lid to a small grease fire is usually the most effective and safest method of controlling the fire.

--Do not attempt to carry a pan that is on fire because it can ignite clothes or spill, causing severe burns.

--In case of a fire inside an oven, turn off the heat and leave the door closed to cut off the fire's air supply.

--Use back burners whenever possible and keep pot handles turned inside so they cannot be pulled or knocked over.

--Keep young children away from cooking appliances to prevent mishaps.

--Before going to bed or leaving your home make sure all cooking appliances are in the "off" position.

--Use extra caution when using turkey fryers due to higher risk of tipping over, overheating or spilling hot oil, leading to fires and burns.

In addition, Cole wants all Missourians to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and to go over the family escape plan with their families and any guests who may be spending the night.

Tips to prevent carbon monoxide exposure:

--Install and maintain at least one carbon monoxide alarm near all sleeping areas. Make sure the alarms are listed by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

--Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.

--Never keep a car running in a garage even if the garage doors are open. Normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide.

--Never use your oven or range to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill in your home or garage.

Click the video players on the right side of the screen to see an interview with Chief Russ Mason of Central County Fire & Rescue for additional information on Thanksgiving cooking safety and to view a demonstration of cooking accidents.

Note: the first accident demonstration shows what happens if you use too much oil and the second demonstration shows the result of dumping a frozen turkey or watr into hot oil.