Nothing says Thanksgiving like the inviting smell of a turkey roasting in the oven. While the holidays are a wonderful time of year, they can also pose many dangers. Thanksgiving is the leading day for cooking fires, with three times as many cooking fires taking place than on an average day. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking equipment fires are still the leading cause of home fires and injuries in the United States and are the third cause of fire-related deaths.
“Thanksgiving is a holiday of feasting, but it’s also a day of intense cooking, when stovetops and ovens are working overtime,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy. “These culinary activities bring increased risk of fire particularly when people are trying to prepare several dishes while entertaining friends and family.”
Unattended cooking was the leading cause of cooking equipment fires. The Insurance Center would like to offer the following NFPA safety tips to keep you and your family safe this Thanksgiving:
- Always cook cautiously and never while you are sleepy or under the influence of alcohol.
- Remain in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen, remember to turn off the stove.
- Regularly check any food that is simmering, baking, roasting or boiling.
- Keep anything flammable away from the stove, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, and towels or curtains.
- If you have a cooking fire, leave, and shut the door behind you to contain the fire. Once safely outside, call 911. If you elect to fight the fire yourself, make sure others are out of the way and that you have a clear exit.
- Use a lid to smolder grease fires by sliding it over the pan and then turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan on until it is completely cooled.
- If you experience an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
On behalf of The Insurance Center, we wish you and yours a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Should you require additional information, please call our office and we would be happy to help.