Community Corner

Safe Holiday Cooking Tips from Gwinnett Fire Dept.

Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services is reminding citizens to be safe. Link to Gwinnett firefighters demonstrating the wrong way to deep fry a turkey.

As family and friends make preparations for the busy Thanksgiving holiday, firefighters are reminding all chefs and would-be chefs to be safe when cooking.

Unsafe cooking practices are the leading cause of residential fires, officials said.

Here are some tips offered by Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services and the National Fire Protection Association:

Find out what's happening in Duluthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Do check food regularly: If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, remember to check it regularly; use a timer to remind yourself that something is on the stove or in the oven
  • Don't place flammable items near heat: Keep anything that could catch fire, such as oven mitts, wood utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains away from your stovetop, oven, or any other heat producing appliance in the kitchen
  • Do wear appropriate clothing when cooking: Never wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking; remember to stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch on fire and cool a burn injury with water until the pain goes away
  • Don't lose sleep: Never attempt to cook if you are extremely tired or if you have consumed alcoholic beverages
  • Do keep Fido and the kiddos safe: Keep children and pets at a safe distance away from the oven or stove when cooking
  • Do check your safety mechanisms: Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home

VERY IMPORTANT: If you plan to deep-fry your holiday turkey, chicken, duck, or anything else, remember to follow proper fire safety precautions. Read all instructions for your fryer and completely thaw your meat before frying it.

Click here to watch a video of a demonstration (by Gwinnett fire fighters) of what can happen if you don't follow instructions.

Find out what's happening in Duluthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here