![Mariposa Fire Truck](/sierrasuntimes/images/2016/Mariposa-Fire-Truck.jpg)
Mariposa community responding to countywide incidents.
Monday, November 14 thru Sunday, November 20
EMS - 10
Fires - 0
Public Assists - 1
Auto Collisions - 4
Thanksgiving Safety Tips
Thanksgiving is almost here and across the country, Americans are gearing up for one of the most spectacular feasts of the year. In the midst of all this festive activity, it’s important to remember that there are health hazards associated with the holiday, including an increased chance of food poisoning and kitchen fires.
Taking just a few minutes to read these Thanksgiving safety tips could mean the difference between enjoying the holiday and having a turkey dinner end in disaster.
Food Poisoning:
Following these food safety tips can keep any Thanksgiving meal safe from bacteria and keep your family and friends from getting sick:
- Safely cooking a turkey starts with correctly defrosting it; place your bird on a tray or pan to catch any juices and keep it refrigerated until it’s ready to cook.
- A 20-pound frozen turkey can take up to five days to thaw out so plan ahead.
- Turkeys need to be cooked to an internal temperate of 165 °F.
- Leftovers need to be refrigerated within two hours after serving.
The average number of cooking fires on Thanksgiving is triple that of a normal day. Here a few simple ways to avoid fires:
- “Stand by your pan” when cooking. Never leave food, grease, or oils cooking on the stovetop unattended.
- Potholders, oven mitts, food wrappers, and other things that can catch fire should be kept away from the stove.
- Children should also be kept away from hot stoves and paid particular attention to when they are in the kitchen.
- Facing pot handles towards the rear of the stove can save them from being knocked over and scalding people nearby.
- Long sleeves and loose clothing should be avoided while cooking as it can easily catch fire.
- Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen and learn how to use it.