Thanksgiving is the worst day of the year for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
As a result, doctors say they typically see an increase in injuries this time of year -- especially when it comes to burns.
Medical Director of the UMC Lions Burn Care Center Dr. Syed Saquib says if you get burned you should consider getting it looked at.
"You want to make sure you wash it off with clean water," said Dr. Saquib. "And the biggest thing is...they need to be seen by a burn center like ours. Because a burn may look OK initially but the burns evolve."
Dr. Saquib says the two most common burns come from open flames or grease.
The NFPA offers these tips to stay safe while cooking:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
This story was originally published by staff at KTNV.
