Did you know that a cooking fire is more likely to occur on Thanksgiving Day than at any other time? All those extra guests and increased activity in the kitchen can cause even the most careful cooks to become distracted and, for example, forget about that pie in the oven.

That’s why it’s so important to plan in advance for the safest possible holiday experience, and here are several tips we’re sure you’ll find useful:

Make the stove area a kid and pet free zone, keeping them at least three feet away from hot ovens and stove tops.
Don’t leave that turkey to roast on its own; leave the errands for another day or leave someone in charge if you must head out of the house.
Use a timer to remind you to check on cooking food, especially those that require extra cooking or baking time.
Keep pot holders, dish towels, and other flammable items away from the stove top or any other heat source.
If you’re thinking of using an outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryer, you may want to reconsider. They can lead to serious oil burns and even destruction of property.
Whether you’re using an electric knife, a crockpot, or warming dishes, make sure that cords are out of reach of children.
Never leave burning candles unattended, and make sure they too are out of reach of children.
Test your smoke detectors and make sure your fire extinguisher is full and ready to go.

Another common Thanksgiving mishap is either a clogged drain or garbage disposal. Never mind common, they’re rampant! So much so that plumbers all over America refer to the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday, too, because it’s our busiest drain cleaning day of the year. And while Connor Plumbing to lend a helping hand at your home this Thanksgiving or anytime at all, you help prevent any drain or disposal problems by:

Keeping grease, fats, and oils out of the drain
Grinding up only small amounts of food at a time
Placing meat bones and fibrous foods like lettuce and soft vegetables in the trash

From all of us at Connor Plumbing, we hope yours is the best Thanksgiving ever.