Thanksgiving is the top day each year when it comes to home-cooking fires. To try to keep that troubling trend to a minimum, the National Fire Protection Association is working to get safety tips out to whoever plans to be in the kitchen this Turkey Day.
“Thanksgiving is a hectic holiday with multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time, and along with guests, entertaining, and other distractions, it can be easy to lose sight of what’s on the stove or in the oven,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “With all these factors at play, it’s no surprise that we consistently see a dramatic spike in home-cooking fires on Thanksgiving.”
On an annual average between 2019 and 2023, cooking accounted for roughly 80% of home fires on Thanksgiving nationally and left 40% of civilians involved injured. In Mississippi, the state’s insurance department and fire marshal’s office said seven fire deaths in 2023 were cooking-related.
Overall, cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and injuries and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths.
“Keeping a close eye on what’s cooking and minimizing the likelihood of getting distracted can greatly reduce the risk of cooking fires,” Carli continued. “As simple as these preventative measures may sound, they truly can help ensure that everyone enjoys a festive, fire-free holiday.”
Carli and the rest of her colleagues at NFPA are offering the following tips to residents planning to cook during the Thanksgiving holiday:
- Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sauteing with oil, need continuous attention.
- 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 things that can catch fire, like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels, at least three feet away from the cooking area.
- Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.
- Always cook with a lid beside your plan. 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.
- 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.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Hot foods and liquids should be placed away from the table and counter edges.
Additionally, NFPA “strongly discourages” the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which have a higher rate of catching fire and causing burns. Rather, the organization recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil.