Practice Kitchen Safety this Thanksgiving

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking fires are more than twice as likely to occur on Thanksgiving day compared to an average day. This amounts to more than 4,000 fires on Thanksgiving day. In addition to making sure there is a working fire alarm in your home there are other easy safety precautions you can take to make this a fun and safe holiday.

• Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking. According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires Thanksgiving day. About 90 percent of fires are caused by unattended cooking.
• Keep items that can catch on fire like potholders and food wrappers at least three feet away from heat sources.
•  Wear tighter fitting clothes with short sleeves that are out of the way when cooking. 
• Designate a "kid-free zone" at least three feet away from the stove and other hot surfaces.
• If using a deep fryer when cooking, keep deep fryer outside away from walls, fences and other structures.
• Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.
• Turn handles of pots and pans inward to avoid accidents.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food make sure to check it regularly, stay in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Follow all manufacturer guidelines regarding the appropriate use of appliances.
• After guests leave, walk around the house to make sure all candles and smoking materials are extinguished.

On the Trick-or-Treat Trail: Halloween Night Safety Tips

Halloween is only a week awa! And there is plenty for you and your family to do in Austin, from festivals to Halloween parties. All of this can be fun, but also a little worrisome for parents. So before you head out the door to enjoy your Halloween festivities take a look at some of our safety tips to help make this an enjoyable Halloween for you and your family:

Safety in numbers: Have a trusted adult with your children at all times. If they are older and are going with friends, know what route they will be taking and have their contact information in case of an emergency. Also, see that at least one person in the group has a charged cell phone that they can use.

Other safety tips:

• Stay in well lit areas and use sidewalks. Do not take shortcuts across yards or allys.
• Never go into a stranger's home.
• Pedestrian injuries are the most common so make sure to communicate where you are going if your group is split up.
• Stay in well lit areas and use sidewalks if available.
• If there is no sidewalk, walk on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
• Although cold weather in Austin is still a few weeks away, make sure to take a light sweater for you and your kids to help prevent getting sick.

For more Halloween Safety Tips, visit the American Red Cross.