DECLARATIONS of Independence, Fall/Winter 2017 7 Speeding vehicles can disrupt the peace of an otherwise quiet neighborhood and pose a safety hazard to residents. If posted speed limit signs aren’t a deterrent for lead-footed drivers in your area, there could be a solution: petitioning for speed humps on your street. The process for obtaining a speed hump requires several steps, but here are the basics (contact Independence Police for a complete breakdown of the process): 1. Obtain a petition for a speed hump at the Police Department. 2. Collect signatures from neighbors on your street. At least 10 residents living within 1,000 feet of the proposed speed hump must sign the petition to move forward. 3. A stealth radar system will be placed on the street, clocking speeds of passing drivers for one week. 4. Officers review the stealth radar information (e.g. number of passing vehicles, high, low and average speed of passing vehicles). 5. If the required criteria are met, a mailer will be distributed to all affected residents, asking for votes for or against the proposed speed hump. A minimum of 50 percent of mailers, with a majority voting for the speed humps (percent varies based on speed data), must be returned for consideration. 6. If all criteria are met and allocated funds are available, a speed hump may be implemented. Temporary speed humps may also be acquired from Independence Police if the problem is not ongoing, as in the case of temporary construction projects or similar circumstances. For more detailed information, contact Lt. Brian Ferayorni at (859) 363-2920. • Keep outdoor fryers off decks, out of garages and a safe distance from trees and other structures. • Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups. • Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow. • Place fryer on a level surface, and avoid moving it once it’s in use. • Leave two feet between the tank and the burner when using a propane-powered fryer. • Follow manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner. • Choose a smaller turkey for frying. An eight to 10 pound bird is best; pass on turkeys over 12 pounds. • Never leave fryers unattended. • Purchase a fryer with temperature controls, and watch the oil temperature carefully. Cooking oil that is heated beyond its smoke point can ignite. If the oil is smoking, turn the fryer off. • Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on. • Wear goggles and oven mitts for protection and keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher nearby. • Skip the stuffing when frying turkey, and avoid water-based marinades. • Keep children and pets away from the fryer. • Once finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner, place on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing. IFD Holiday CookingTips POLICE DEPARTMENT Keep your deep-fried turkey delicious, not dangerous