Thanksgiving and COVID-19: 

As COVID-19 cases continue to spike locally and around the country, the CDC offers the following safety recommendations to make your Thanksgiving holiday safer and help reduce the chances of spreading or contracting the virus.

• The safest way to spend Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate ONLY with members of the same household.
• If you are planning on celebrating with family and friends who don’t live with you, consider scheduling a time to share the Thanksgiving meal together virtually. 
• Although not recommended, if you still choose to host an in-person Thanksgiving gathering, be sure to have a small outdoor meal and to limit the number of guests. Also, help prevent the spread of the virus by using disposable plates, cups, and eating utensils. 
• Attending gatherings with people outside your home can be very dangerous and can further propagate the spread of COVID-19. However, If you are planning to attend a gathering with people outside of your household, be sure not to share food, dishes, drinking glasses, cups or eating utensils.   
• Remember to keep at least 6 feet apart from one another, wear a mask, and wash your hands often. Also important, safely store your mask while eating or drinking in order to keep it clean at all times.
• Always keep your hands and cooking utensils clean. Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 

 
Thanksgiving and fire safety: 

This Thanksgiving, MDFR is encouraging everyone to take advantage of South Florida’s pleasant weather by enjoying the outdoors and having an outdoor meal with your family, all while being fire safe.

• Make sure the dishes you use in the microwave, standard oven and dishwasher are marked that they are safe for that use. Even in the dishwasher, a non-approved plate can cause a fire.
• Do not turn up the heat in the oven to speed up turkey cooking time. This is a fire hazard.
• Do not leave any cooking unattended. Statistics show this is the number one cause of house fires in the nation.
• Turn pot handles and sharp objects away from the edge of cooking areas. Keep anything that can burn, such as oven mitts and wooden utensils, away from your stovetop.
• Keep children and pets away from the stove and meal prep areas. The stove will be hot, and kids and pets should stay three (3) feet away. 
• Make sure children stay away from hot foods and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. 
• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children. 
• Never leave children and pets alone in a room with a lit candle. 
• Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency. 

 
If using a turkey fryer outdoors, follow these safety tips: 

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in a garage. 
• Make sure the fryer is used on a flat surface to reduce tipping. 
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don’t watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire. 
• Never let children or pets near the fryer while in use. Even after use, use caution as the oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot for hours. 
• Do not overfill the fryer with oil. 
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don’t mix, and water causes oil to spill over, creating a fire or even an explosion hazard. 
• Absorb oil spills from concrete floors by spreading cat litter over the oil in an even coat. Let it sit for a few hours, then sweep the area and remove the remaining stain.
• Consider using an oil-less turkey fryer as an alternative. You will get the same outcome with minimal risks. 
• Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency. 

 
If you experience an emergency, be sure to call 9-1-1 immediately. 

For more information, please contact MDFR’s Media and Public Relations Bureau at (305) 814-8051.