Thanksgiving cooking safety, holiday week trash pickup, road work: THE DIGEST

Jeff Schwaner, Staunton News Leader

Some safety tips for Thanksgiving cooking

The National Fire Protection Association reminds everyone that Thanksgiving dinners bring with them the increased risk of home cooking fires. In a press release the NFPA said that an estimated 1,160 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments on Thanksgiving Day, a nearly 300% increase over the daily average.

Here are some safety tips from NFPA for the holiday:

  • Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.

  • When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly.

  • Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.

  • Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area.

  • Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.

  • Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If a small grease fire starts, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan, then turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time.

  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.

  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Hot foods and liquids should be placed away from table and counter edges.

Library hours, trash pickup, recycling to be altered on Thanksgiving week

The City of Staunton announced changes to observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Trash Pickup

Residential: There will be no residential trash pickup on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday Nov. 24. Trash will instead be collected on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Downtown Central Business District (CBD): All CBD customers will receive trash collection on Wednesday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 25 only, with the regular schedule resuming on Monday, Nov. 27.

Recycling Center Hours

The Recycling Center will be open on Wednesday, Nov. 22 and will be closed through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Regular hours resume on Monday, Nov. 27.

Library Hours

The Staunton Public Library will be closing early, at 5 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 22 and will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24. Regular operations will resume Saturday, Nov. 25. The outdoor book drop will be open for returns, and digital books and other online resources are available 24/7 at www.StauntonLibrary.org.

Administrative Offices

Administrative offices for the city of Staunton will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24 with regular hours resuming on Monday, Nov. 27.

Where's the road work this week?

Virginia Department of Transportation has announced the road work being done for Nov. 13 - 17.

INTERSTATE 64

*NEW* Mile marker 95 to 100, eastbound and westbound – Overnight single lane and shoulder closures for utility work, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. nights Monday through Wednesday.

INTERSTATE 81

*NEW* Mile marker 206 to 205, southbound – Right shoulder closures including for sign work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

*NEW* Mile marker 220 to 222, northbound and southbound – Overnight shoulder closures for inspection of Route 635 bridge, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday night.

*NEW* Mile marker 220 to 222, northbound – Overnight alternating lane closures for maintenance to the I-81 bridge, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through Friday night.

*UPDATE* Mile marker 221 to 225, northbound and southbound – Overnight shoulder closures 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights for sign installations and mowing. Shoulder closures 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday for sign installations and mowing. Work is related to I-81 widening project.

Mile marker 221 to 223, northbound – Overnight single lane closures for maintenance to bridge over Route 250 (Jefferson Highway), 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. through the night of November 21.

Mile marker 223 to 227, northbound and southbound – Overnight alternating lane closures for inspection of bridges over Lewis Creek, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through the night of November 29.

Mile marker 226 to 229, northbound and southbound – Overnight single lane closures for maintenance to Route 612 (Laurel Hill Road) overpass bridge, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through the night of December 24.

PRIMARY ROADS

Route 56 (Tye River Turnpike) – Flagger traffic control between Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway) and Rockbridge County line for paving operations, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday.

Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) – Overnight flagger traffic control between Route 11 (Lee Highway) and Route 2003 (Wayside Drive/Triangle Drive) for paving operations, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nights through Thursday.

Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Northbound right shoulder closures near Route 252 interchange for road widening work, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December 29.

Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Eastbound and westbound shoulder closures approaching I-81 ramps just south of Staunton for sign installations, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday.

Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway/Rosser Avenue) – Northbound and southbound shoulder closures for sign installations near I-64 interchange (Waynesboro) and intersections with Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway) and Route 608 (Tinkling Spring Road/Draft Avenue), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway) – Flagger traffic control between Route 655 (Walnut Hills Road) and Route 652 (University Farm Road) for paving operations, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday.

Route 340 (East Side Highway) – Northbound and southbound single lane closures and flagger traffic control as needed between Route 612 (Crimora Mine Road/New Hope-Crimora Road) and Route 1343 (Northwood Drive) for paving operations, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday.

SECONDARY ROADS

Route 612 (Crimora Mine Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 873 (Forest Chapel Lane) and dead end for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

Route 612 (Laurel Hill Road) – Westbound right lane closures between Route 1906 (Lodge Lane) and Route 11 (Lee Highway) for pedestrian access improvements, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through February 2024.

Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through May 30, 2025.

Route 664 (Mount Torrey Road) – Shoulder closures and occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 894 (Mount Torrey Road) for water line installation, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December 31. Estimated completion summer 2024.

Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through June 30, 2025.

Route 820 (Coleytown Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 254 (Hermitage Road) and Route 785 (Madrid Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Thanksgiving cooking safety tips, trash pickup holiday week: THE DIGEST

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