Florida Homebuilder Centerline Homes | Real Estate Blog

How to Safely Fry a Turkey

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with friends and family and there's nothing like a fried turkey to help feed the crew.  This thanksgiving when frying that turkey be sure to stay safe and protect those you love by following these turkey safety tips provided by the CPSC.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing safety tips for preventing fires and burns when using turkey fryers. Since 1998, CPSC has reports of 75 incidents that involved fires, flames, or burns associated with turkey fryers. Twenty-eight of these incidents were reported for the year 2002. Here are some of the hazard scenarios:

• House fires associated with turkey fryers leading to injuries and property damage.
• Ignition of oil used with turkey fryers. This was often related to oil reaching excess temperatures or oil contacting the open flame of the fryer.
• Splashing of hot oil causing burns.

The majority of reported incidents occurred while the oil was being heated, prior to adding the turkey. For this reason, it is very important consumers monitor the temperature of the oil closely. If any smoke at all is noticed coming from a heating pot of oil, the burner should be turned off immediately because the oil is overheated.

There is a risk of injury resulting from splashing due to the cooking of partially frozen turkey and meats. Thoroughly thaw and dry ALL meats before cooking in hot oil. One reported burn incident occurred when partially frozen chicken wings were added to hot oil in a turkey fryer.

CPSC staff is working with industry and voluntary standards organizations to improve the safety standard for turkey fryers.

CPSC staff recommends consumers who choose to fry turkeys follow the following safety guidelines:

• Keep fryer in FULL VIEW while burner is on.
• Place fryer in an open area AWAY from all walls, fences, or other structures.
• Never use IN, ON, or UNDER a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or any structure that can catch fire.
• Raise and lower food SLOWLY to reduce splatter and avoid burns.
• COVER bare skin when adding or removing food.
• Check the oil temperature frequently.
• If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn gas supply OFF.
• If a fire occurs, immediately call 911. DO NOT attempt to extinguish fire with water.

For safest operation, CPSC staff recommends that consumers follow these guidelines as they prepare to use a turkey fryer:

• Make sure there is at least 2 feet of space between the liquid propane tank and fryer burner.
• Place the liquid propane gas tank and fryer so that any wind blows the heat of the fryer away from the gas tank.
• Center the pot over the burner on the cooker.
• Completely thaw (USDA says 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds) and dry turkey before cooking. Partially frozen and/or wet turkeys can produce excessive hot oil splatter when added to the oil.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions to determine the proper amount of oil to add. If those are not available:
  
  • Place turkey in fryer pot
  • Fill with water until the turkey is covered by about 1/2 inch of water
  • Remove and dry turkey
  • Mark water level. Dump water, dry the pot, and fill with oil to the marked level.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Wishing you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! www.centerlinehomes.com

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is a fun time for children. It's also a time to be concerned about your child’s safety, whether they are out in the neighborhood or back at home with bountiful bags of goodies. We do not want to cast a spell on the evening’s festivities, so following a few safety tips will ensure that Halloween will be a “howling” good time for all.

FOR THE TRICK-OR-TREATERS:

• Set a time limit for children to trick-or-treat
• Trick-or-treaters should travel in groups – never alone
• Younger children should be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flash light, reflective bag or glow stick
• Remind children not to enter any residence or car
• Do not take short cuts through backyards, alleys, or playing fields

• Parents check out all treats before your children eat them

WELCOMING TRICK-OR-TREATERS TO YOUR HOME:

• Welcome trick-or-treaters by turning on your exterior porch lights
• Remove objects from your yard that might be hazardous to visitors
• Drive slowly all evening -- trick-or-treaters may dart into the your path

• Report any suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency

MAKING SAFE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES:

• Children costumes should be fit properly to avoid tripping
• If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are big enough to see not only in front but peripherally
• Try make up instead of a mask
• Costumes should be of a light color or put reflective tape on their costumes
• Check that costumes are flame-retardant so little ones are not in danger near candle-lit jack-o-lanterns or other fire hazards
• We want everyone to have a safe Halloween.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween! www.centerlinehomes.com

Here are 10 Fall Home Maintenance Tips

1. Roof: Check the roof and around vents, skylights, and chimneys for leaks. Repair as necessary.
2. Attic: If there is no ridge vent, keep gable vents open year-round to ensure proper ventilation.
3. Gutters: Clean the gutters and drain pipes so leaves won't clog them and be sure they drain away from the house.
4. Filters: Remember to clean or replace filters once a month, or as needed. Check and clean the dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood, and room fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies.
5. Safety Equipment: Ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Replace batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year.
6. Refrigerator: Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, the latch may need to be adjusted or the seal may need to be replaced. In addition, if you have a coil-back refrigerator, vacuum the coils at least twice each year. Your refrigerator will run more efficiently with clean coils. Also, stock up! A full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one.
7. Windows and Doors: Seal drafty doors and windows. If you added up all of the small cracks where heating and cooling escapes from a home, it would be the same as having a window open. Replace seals as needed.
8. Siding and Paint: Look for cracks and holes in house siding or paint. Replace caulk if necessary. A carpet knife can work well for cutting away old caulking from house siding. Slice down alongside it from both directions with the hook-like blade, then use the knife to lift out the old caulk bead intact.
9. Heating System: Have the heating system serviced. Change filters.
10. Hot Water Heater: Drain the hot water heater. Remove sediment from the bottom of the tank.

Here are 10 great tips to help you keep cool and stay safe during the extreamly hot summer days. High temperatures are not only uncomfortable if not careful they can result in heat-related illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

1. Drink plenty of cool water along with sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes. Even if you're not working out it will help you keep cool and stay hydrated.
2. Keep a spray bottle with water in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face and neck after being outdoors. You can also take a cool bath or shower to help bring down your body temperature.
3. Avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants, and anyone with a chronic illness, as they may dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
4. Use fans to circulate air and make you feel cooler.  Even if your home is air-conditioned fans can help by allowing you to keep the homes thermostat set at a higher temp saving energy.
5. Exercise in the early morning or late evening to take advantage of cooler times avoiding the hot Sun. If you can't change the time of your workout it's ok to do less during the hot months, try walking instead or running, or decreasing your level of exertion in other training.  Also drink plenty of water throughout the workout.
6. Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer; grab one when you're ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you'll have a supply of cold water with you.
7. Keep a wet washcloth in a bag in the refrigerator use it to cool off for 15mins (it feels great on the back of your neck or head).  When you're done rinse it and put it back in the Fridge or Freezer and it will be ready iagain n 20-30 minutes.  You can also keep your hair wet which will help keep you cool.
8. Instead of hot cooked foods, try lighter summer meals like salad, cold fruit or low fat dairy products. and eat less more frequently
9. If you don't have air-conditioning in your home, you can spend the hotest parts of the day in a shopping mall, store, public library, movie theater, or other public space that is cool.
10. Don't forget that your pets also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too. most of these suggestions can also apply to fido.

Building New Homes in Florida for over 18 Years. www.centerlinehomes.com

Dont Forget Fido!

When making your plans and purchases for this year’s hurricane season, don’t forget your pets. After all, they’re family members too. Be sure to have an extra supply of any medications that your pet may take in addition to stocking up on their food, and of course their treats of choice. Also remember when you’re stocking up on bottled water, to grab a few additional bottles for your dog or cat. Lastly, as we all know pets have a highly developed sense of hearing. A major storm, such as a hurricane, amplifies the sound of thunder and the howling winds may make even the calmest pet get a little nervous and crazy. If your four-legged friend is high-strung to begin with, you may want to talk to you veterinarian about having a few pet tranquilizers to add to your hurricane supply box.

Additional hurricane preparation tips can be found on The Weather Channel’s web site, www.weather.com

www.centerlinehomes.com