"Tried & True" recipe for a safe Thanksgiving!

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires, with three times as many occurring on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year!

Tacoma Fire Department encourages everyone to follow this "tried and true" recipe for a safe holiday.

When it comes to cooking:

• Keep a close watch on your cooking. Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Keep oven food packaging and combustibles away from burners and heat sources.
• Heat cooking oil slowly and watch it closely; it can ignite quickly.
• Have a "kid-free zone" of at least three-feet around the stove.
• Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires.
• Make sure you have a working smoke alarms.

Spotlight on Flood Preparedness

Flooding is the most common and widespread of all natural disasters and with the moderate to heavy rain expected across our region the next few days, now is the time to prepare for water related hazards.

 What to do before a flood

• Know your flood risk and know your evacuations routes

• Clean out leaves around your gutters and storm drains
• Assemble a disaster supply kit

What to do during a flood

• Do not try to walk or drive through flooded areas
• Water can be deeper than it appears and fast moving water just six inches deep can sweep you off your feet
• Cars can be swept away in just two feet of water
• Report downed power lines to Tacoma Public Utilities @ 253-502-8602 (call 9-1-1 if it is a life threatening situation) and do not try to move them 

Stay informed - visit the National Weather Service to monitor weather conditions, Ready.gov for disaster preparedness information and check out the Regional Public Information Network to subscribe to news alerts from more than 75 government, transportation, utility, health and emergency response agencies that serve the citizens in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.