News Release: Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Reminds Customers to Stay Safe Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday

News Release: Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Reminds Customers to Stay Safe Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Reminds Customers to Stay Safe Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday
Company provides Thanksgiving holiday safety tips

BALTIMORE, Nov. 20, 2012 – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) <http://www.bge.com/Pages/default.aspx>  today reminds customers to put safety first throughout the Thanksgiving holiday, especially when preparing Thanksgiving dinner. According to the National Fire Protection Association <http://www.nfpa.org/index.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1> (NFPA), cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and related injuries, and Thanksgiving is a peak day for home cooking fires to occur.  BGE urges customers to follow these safety tips to stay safe and reduce the risk of cooking fires this Thanksgiving:

·         Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

·         When simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

·         Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains away from the stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire…

·         Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

·         Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

·         If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear path out of the home, and that someone has called the fire department.

·         Keep a lid nearby when cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

·         For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

The NFPA discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in hot oil because of the potential for devastating burns, other injuries and the destruction of property. The NFPA instead recommends seeking out professional establishments—such as grocery stores, specialty food retailers and restaurants—for those who prefer fried turkey or consider a new type of oil-less turkey fryer.  However, if you plan to deep-fry your turkey using oil, BGE recommends placing the fryer outside (at least 10 feet away from any buildings) and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before placing it into the deep fryer.

BGE <http://www.bge.com/Pages/default.aspx> , headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider with approximately $33 billion in annual revenues.  Like us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/myBGE>  and follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/mybge> , YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/baltimoregaselectric>   and Flickr <http://www.flickr.com/photos/mybge> .