The National Fire Protection Association urges added caution when cooking on Thanksgiving Day, by far the leading day of the year for home cooking fires.
In 2022, an estimated 1,610 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments on Thanksgiving Day, reflecting a 399% increase over the daily average.
Between 2018-22, there was an annual average of three and half times more cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day than on a typical day of the year.
“Thanksgiving is a hectic holiday with multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time, along with guests, entertaining, and other distractions that can make it easy to lose sight of what’s on the stove or in the oven” said Lorraine Carli, the Association’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “With all these factors at play, it’s no surprise that the number of cooking fires spikes so dramatically on Thanksgiving.”
Overall, cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and injuries, and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths. Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
The association offers additional tips and recommendations to help everyone cooking safely on Thanksgiving:
· Stay in the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.
· Keep your cooking area free of combustible materials.
· 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 cooking times.
· Keep anything that can catch fire, such as food packaging, oven mitts and towels, away from your stovetop.
· Protect yourself by wearing clothing that fits snugly. Clothing can easily catch fire if you lean over the burners.
· 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.
· Enforce a “Kid Free Zone.”
· Most importantly, keep a small multipurpose fire extinguisher handy.
· Never put water on a grease fire.
If your pan does catch fire
Turn off the heat under the pan (if it’s safe to do so) and allow it to cool.
Put a lid on the pan if possible.
Leave the pan where it is – don’t move it.
When all efforts fail
Leave the room, close the door, get everyone out of your home and stay out. Then call 911.
In addition, the National Fire Protection Association strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which can cause devastating burns. For a safe alternative, the association recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil.
Founded in 1896, the National Fire Protection Association is a global, self-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.
Portions of the above were published in the Glade Sun, from information provided by the National Fire Prevention Association and is here with permission.
For more fire safety tips, visit the NFPA at https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety
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