NEWS
Keep fire safety top of mind when preparing your feast
Thanksgiving,the number-one day for U.S. home cooking fires
November 12, 2020 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is urging the public to make fire safety a priority when preparing this year’s Thanksgiving feast. The association’s latest Home Cooking Fires report shows that Thanksgiving is the peak day for U.S. home cooking fires followed by the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. According to the report, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,630 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day, three and half times an average day. Unattended cooking was by far the leading cause of associated fires and fire deaths. Cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home and home fire injuries year-round, and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths. “Thanksgiving often involves cooking multiple dishes at once, which can be particularly tricky with lots of distractions in and around the kitchen,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “From getting ready for guests and managing family needs to entertaining when everyone arrives – these types of activities make it all too easy to lose track of what’s cooking, and that’s where a lot of fires tend to happen.” Carli notes that the pandemic may reduce the number of larger group gatherings in favor of smaller celebrations, which may mean more kitchens being used to cook Thanksgiving meals this year. NFPA offers these tips and recommendations for safely cooking this Thanksgiving:
- Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.
- When cooking a turkey, or other items in the oven, stay in your home and check on it regularly.
- Set a timer on your stove or phone to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.
- Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels away from direct contact with the cooking area.
- Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that could come in contact with a heat source.
- Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.
- Keep children at least three feet away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is being prepared or served. Steam or spills from these items can cause severe burns.
“The pandemic may limit the number of people in homes this year, but there will still be lots of the usual cooking and distractions that contribute to a sharp increase in cooking fires on and around Thanksgiving,” said Carli. “Being vigilant in the kitchen remains critical to ensuring a fire-safe holiday.” In addition, NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers, as these can lead to severe burns, injuries, and property damage. For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends grocery stores, food retailers, and restaurants that sell deep-fried turkey. For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research and resources, please visit the NFPA press room. As all of us continue to navigate the evolving situation with COVID-19, NFPA remains committed to supporting you with the resources you need to minimize risk and help prevent loss, injuries, and death from fire, electrical, and other hazards. For information on NFPA’s response to the coronavirus, pleasevisit our webpage.
The Bowie News was overwhelmed with more than 400 snow day photos sent in from across the county. Please view them on our Facebook page. We will publish many in the Thursday Bowie News. Thank you to everyone who sent them in.
Top photo – Brandee Mumms and her family put together a snowman.
WICHITA FALLS DISTRICT – TxDOT maintenance crews cleared all Tier 1 and Tier 2 highways
today. Snowplows started running between Midnight and 4 am across the region. Tonight, we
are expecting slick conditions because of refreeze. Bridges and overpasses will be particularly
icy.
Archer City Office: Archer county is reporting wet roads on their Tier 1 roadways including US
281 and SH-79. They are planning to run plows on secondary roads this evening. Slick spots on
bridges and overpasses are expected overnight.
Bowie and Nocona Offices: Bowie and Nocona kept highways US 287, US 82, US 81, and SH59 constantly cleared today. The area’s primary roads are in great shape. The crew plans to
expand to SH-175 in Montague and Nocona overnight.
Gainesville Office: The Gainesville office is responsible for taking care of more than 20 miles of
I-35. Crews worked hard today to keep I-35 in great condition and keep the Interstate traffic
moving. US 82 is also a high priority highway, and the plows were on it all day. The office has
been able to plow some of their higher volume FM roads. Refreeze will also be a big concern in
Cooke County.
Graham Office: Graham’s crew got their primary roads in top shape today. However, the
Area Engineer, Zach Husen, wants to remind everyone that bridges and overpasses will refreeze
tonight. There will be ice on the lane markings as well as the shoulders. Graham has already
been able to start plowing FM’s which they will work on tonight as well.
Henrietta and Clay County Office: Our maintenance office in Henrietta services all of Clay
County. US 287 is their Tier 1 roadway that was very good shape this afternoon. The crew has
already started plowing lesser traveled roads and will continue to plow new highways while
maintaining the best service possible on US 287. The maintenance supervisor, Darin Reed, is
concerned about snow and runoff refreezing tonight. Drivers should be cautious and watch for
black ice.
Vernon, Wilbarger County Office: The Vernon crew kept US 287 in good shape today. They
were able to work on other primary and secondary roads in their area. Refreeze is the main
concern for tonight.
Wichita Falls Office: Crews plowed their major roadways in top shape including I-44, US 287,
and US 82 (Kell Fwy) as well as the area’s secondary highways. This crew will continue to keep
control of these major roadways throughout the night.
(MORE)
Wet roadway conditions with slick spots are expected across the entire district. Refreezing will
happen on plowed highways and unplowed roads. Overpasses and bridges will be the first to
freeze and the last to thaw. Motorists should be on the watch for black ice.
Motorists can obtain travel information, road conditions and see 15 Wichita Falls traffic cameras
and 1 Vernon camera by visiting DriveTexas.org or calling (800) 452-9292. Traffic cameras are
also at TxDOT.Gov.
Remember to follow the Wichita Falls District on our Facebook page,
www.Facebook.com/TxDOTWichitaFalls and on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/TxDOTWF
If you experience any emergency on the road, call 9-1-1 for help.
Drivers are urged to follow these precautions:
Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal dry road and weather
conditions, not winter road conditions. Do not use cruise control.
Turn on your headlights. It is not for you…it’s so other drivers can see you.
Maintain at least three times the normal following distance on snow or ice.
Watch carefully for personnel, equipment treating roadways, and stay at least
200 feet back from road crews. Don’t Crowd the Plows.
Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses, intersections, and shaded
areas as they tend to freeze first and thaw last.
If you start to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction
that you want to go until you feel you have regained traction, and then
straighten your vehicle.
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today provided an update on Texas’ ongoing response to severe winter weather impacting large portions of the state following a briefing with state officials at the State Operations Center in Austin. Texans across the state should prepare for below freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow through the next few days.
“The lives of our fellow Texans are by far the most important priority,” said Governor Abbott. “We are dealing with very cold and below-freezing temperatures that will remain in place across much of the state, especially in the northern half of Texas. Texans are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or visit tdem.texas.gov/warm and monitor local media outlets for their closest warming center. To help Texans stay safe and warm, I deployed emergency response resources from more than a dozen agencies across the state of Texas. I urge Texans to be careful and cautious to protect yourself and your life while driving on the road in these conditions. I want to thank all the emergency first responders who are engaged at the state and local levels. Their role and service are more critical now than almost any other time as we work to protect our fellow Texans.”
Watch the Governor’s full press conference here.
Governor Abbott was joined at the press conference by Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Transportation Deputy Executive Director Brian Barth, Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Pablo Vegas, and Public Utility Commission Chair Thomas Gleeson.
During the live update, the Governor noted that freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow will begin to push into West Texas and continue to spread eastward, impacting West, Central, North, and Northeast Texas through Friday. The Governor urged Texans to avoid traveling on roadways due to snow and ice accumulations that may impact the state, especially across North and Northeast Texas and West Texas through the Big Country, Concho Valley, and the Northern Hill Country. Governor Abbott also advised Texans to have contact information for their local power provider in the event of any localized power outages. Additionally, Governor Abbott encouraged Texans to remain weather-aware, avoid going outside in freezing temperatures, and utilize one of the more than 300 warming centers across the state to help stay warm.
Yesterday, Governor Abbott directed TDEM to increase the readiness level of the Texas State Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response). The Governor also directed TDEM earlier this week to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of severe winter weather.
The State of Texas has over 3,400 state personnel, over 1,860 vehicles and equipment assets deployed, and over 21 state agencies responding to this winter weather across Texas.
Texans are encouraged to visit the TDEM Disaster Portal for winter weather information. Texans can also locate winter weather safety tips by visiting TexasReady.gov, find warming centers opened and operated by local officials at tdem.texas.gov/warm, and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org.
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