Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of household fires and that Thanksgiving is when most of them occur? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), based on recent data, there is a 388 percent increase in home cooking fires on Thanksgiving compared to the daily average. Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in these fires and fire-related fatalities.
Paying attention to fire safety in the kitchen is always important, but especially at Thanksgiving when there are often a lot of guests, activity, and distractions along with multiple dishes being prepared at the same time. As you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu, remember that by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your friends and family and keep everyone safe.
Safety recommendations from the NFPA include:
- Stay in the kitchen while using the stovetop; some types of cooking, such as those that involve frying or sautéing, need continuous attention. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short amount of time, turn off the stove.
- Remain at home when cooking a turkey and check on it frequently.
- Make use of timers to keep track of your dishes, particularly for foods that take longer to cook.
- Keep items at least three feet away from the cooking area that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, and towels.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove and anywhere else hot food or drink is being prepared or carried. The steam or contents spilling from containers of cooked vegetables, gravy, coffee, and other hot items can cause serious burns.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children, for example in a high or locked cabinet.
- Avoid wearing long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with the stovetop or other heat source.
- Do not use turkey fryers that use cooking oil. When heated to high temperatures, oil can cause devastating burns upon contact with the skin or eyes. An infrared or electric turkey fryer that has been listed by a qualified testing laboratory are recommended as a safer alternative, but neither should be left unattended.
- Make sure home smoke alarms are working properly by pushing the test button and holding it for a few seconds to trigger the alarm. If you don’t hear it, or the sound is weak, new batteries likely may be needed, or the alarm may need replacing.
If you do have a small cooking fire on the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner if it’s safe to do so. Leave the pan covered until it’s completely cooled. 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 so. If a small fire cannot be extinguished, the fire is too big, or if you have any doubt about fighting it, get out! Call 911 or the local emergency number from outside your home.
For additional fire safety tips, visit NFPA’s Thanksgiving website, the Workplace Fire Safety website from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Fire Safety site developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or contact us. Wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
This blog was written by Beth Graham, Director of Quality, Research, and Training.
