A flurry of activity comes with Thanksgiving, with multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time, entertaining family and friends, and other distractions that can make it easy to forget about what is on the stove or in the oven.
Since Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment, with more than three times the average number, Owatonna Fire Department is reminding residents to follow a few simple tips to keep everyone safe from fire during the holiday season:
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove top. Use a timer when baking.
- Stay home when cooking the turkey and check on it often.
- Keep children away from the stove. Create a 3’ kid-free zone around the stove.
- Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle
- Make sure smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
For additional information and kids' activities, visit owatonna.gov/fire.