Let's be honest about it: The holiday season isn't just about family get-togethers and renewing old acquaintances.

This is the time of year for cooking and eating wonderful things, such as the turkey feast with all the trimmings that is the focal point of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Merriam Fire Department is reminding residents to be extra careful as nearly 50 percent of all house fires across the nation start in the kitchen.

"Care should always be taken while working in the kitchen," said Merriam Fire Marshal Bob Pape, "Preparing the Thanksgiving meal often is a group project, with many people in the kitchen to help with the chores. And where there's a crowd and noisy chatter, there's a greater chance for an accident to occur."

In an effort to ensure all citizens have a happy and safe turkey day, the Merriam Fire Department offers the following kitchen safety tips:

• Make sure your cooking appliances are in good working order.
• Start your holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven. Make sure any old grease or food spills are cleaned up to lessen the chance of a flare-up.
• Keep kitchen clutter and loose clothing away from stove burners.
• Turn pot handles in toward the rear of the stove, out of your child's reach. If the handles are allowed to stick out over the stove, they could be grabbed by a child, spilling their hot contents and causing burns.
• NEVER leave cooking food unattended.
• If the contents in a pot or pan catch fire, do not touch or try to move the pot or pan as you may spread the fire or burn yourself. Extinguish the flames with a metal lid or larger pot.
• Never use water on a grease fire. Extinguish the flames with a metal lid or larger pot.
• Use potholders to prevent burns. If you are burned, do not use ice, butter or other substance on the burn. Ice can damage the skin, and butter or other substances can trap the heat in. Instead, let the burn cool off under a steady stream of cool tap water and seek medical assistance if necessary.
• Keep holiday decorations away from heat sources such as stoves, candles or heaters.
• In the event of a fire or medical emergency, always call 911.

For additional holiday safety and year-round fire prevention tips, call the Merriam Fire Department at (913) 322-5530.

The Merriam Police Department is offering a women’s self defense seminar “Avoiding & Surviving a Violent Encounter”.  The seminar will consist of 45 minutes to 1 hour of discussion on the above topic and approximately 30 additional minutes of light hands on instruction/demonstration (Optional). 

Instructors will focus on basic principles that can be applied during a violent encounter.  Attendees should dress in comfortable clothing with little jewelry if they plan on participating in the physical portion of the seminar.

The seminar is open to anyone who works or lives in Merriam. 

You MUST RSVP no later than December 1st, 2008, at rondab@merriam.org or  913-322-5560 during the hours of 8:30AM to 4:30PM Monday thru Friday.  Please specify the seminar date when you RSVP.