How to Avoid a Cooking Fire on Thanksgiving
Did you know Thanksgiving Day is the peak of cooking-related fires for the entire year?
While cooking is a leading cause of structural fires year-round, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says the number of cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day is three times higher than on any other day of the year.
Let’s talk about some common cooking fire causes and tips that can help you prevent a fire from ruining your Thanksgiving.
Most Common Causes of Cooking Fires
- Leaving food unattended while it’s cooking
- Faulty cooking equipment
- Kids or pets in the kitchen
- A cluttered kitchen
- Overloaded electrical outlets
Cooking Fire Prevention Tips
- Before using a slow cooker or another small appliance, check that their cords are not damaged.
- Never use extension cords that are frayed or worn.
- Don’t leave the house while your turkey is cooking, and check on it frequently.
- Only use a fryer outdoors.
- Stay in the kitchen whenever the stove is in use.
- Most kitchen fires start on the stove, so keep any flammable items away from the stovetop, including oven mitts, towels, cook books, and wooden utensils.
- When cooking in a pot or pan, turn its handle toward the back of the stove to avoid someone bumping into it.
- Keep a lid close by in case you have to smother a small grease fire.
- If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Call 911 if the fire does not eventually go out on its own.
- If kids or pets are passing through the kitchen, keep them at least three feet away from the stove.
- Make sure cords from slow cookers, electric knives, coffee makers, or other small kitchen appliances are not dangling off the counter for children or pets to grab.
- It’s best to avoid cooking when you feel drowsy or have consumed alcohol.
- Make sure the kitchen floor stays clear of any tripping hazards.
- Once you’re done in the kitchen for the day, make sure your stove, oven, and small kitchen appliances are turned off.
Other Holiday Fire Prevention Tips
- Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach and out of sight of children.
- Never leave children unattended in a room where candles are lit.
- Keep candles at a safe distance from anything flammable.
- If you have a fireplace, remove decorations or any other flammable objects from the area around the fireplace before lighting it.
- Keep a screen in front of the fireplace when it’s lit.
- Never leave children unattended in a room with a lit fireplace.
- Once all your guests have left, take a walk around your home and extinguish candles and fireplaces.
Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
As a fire damage restoration company, we make it part of our mission to educate you on fire safety and prevention. We hope these tips help keep you and your family safe this Thanksgiving.
