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Thanksgiving Tip from the
Chesapeake Fire Department and NFPA

Thanksgiving Fire Facts

• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve.
• In 2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,630 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires.
• Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
• Cooking caused almost half of all reported home fires and home fire injuries, and it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths in 2014-2018.  

Source: NFPA's Home Cooking Fires and Home Structure Fires reports.

COVID-19 Safety Tips

Follow these easy steps; to help prevent the spread of COVID-19

• Stay home if you can and avoid gatherings of more than ten people.
• Practice social distancing by keeping a distance of about six feet from others if you must go out in public.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; throw used tissues in the trash. If a tissue isn't available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve, not your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, computers, phones, keyboards, sinks, toilets, faucets, and countertops.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them - use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Full information on how to disinfect is found here.
• Wear a face mask if you are sick. You should wear a face mask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider's office.