Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings families and friends together to celebrate over a delicious meal, but it also comes with an often-overlooked risk: cooking fires. The hustle and bustle in the kitchen, combined with the prolonged cooking times for items like turkey and other dishes, make Thanksgiving the peak day of the year for cooking-related fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), each year, 4x more home cooking fires are reported on Thanksgiving Day. This article offers some practical tips to keep your kitchen safe and ensure your Thanksgiving remains a time of celebration.
Why Thanksgiving Has the Most Cooking Fires
The leading cause of cooking fires during Thanksgiving is unattended cooking. While preparing a feast with multiple dishes, it’s easy to get distracted and leave cooking food unattended, even for a brief period. With an average of 172,900 home cooking fires reported annually in the United States from 2014 to 2018, the NFPA reports that unattended cooking was responsible for over 30% of these incidents.
In addition to being the busiest cooking day, Thanksgiving also involves unique cooking methods, such as deep-frying turkeys, which can cause severe fires if not handled correctly. The U.S. Fire Administration warns that deep-frying a turkey improperly can cause burns, other injuries, and extensive property damage if the oil ignites. Many of these incidents could be prevented with a few safety precautions and an understanding of how to avoid common mistakes.
Top Tips to Prevent Cooking Fires This Thanksgiving
1. Stay in the Kitchen and Be Attentive
Unattended cooking is the number one cause of Thanksgiving cooking fires. While it may seem simple, the act of staying present and vigilant while cooking can prevent most kitchen fires. If you’re using high heat to fry or broil food, the message is: Keep an eye on what you fry – stay in the kitchen until you are done. When simmering, baking, or roasting, check your food regularly and set timers for each dish. Even stepping away “just for a minute” can increase the risk of a fire igniting.
Quick Tip: If you must leave the kitchen, ask another adult to keep an eye on the cooking, or take a timer or reminder with you to stay aware of ongoing cooking.
2. Keep Flammable Objects Away from Heat Sources
Items like dish towels, paper, food packaging, and even potholders should be kept away from the stove and other heat sources. According to the NFPA, nearly 10% of cooking fires involve ignitable items left too close to a heat source. Make it a habit to keep your cooking area clear and organized to avoid accidental fires.
Quick Tip: Create a safe zone around your stove, and store flammable items like paper towels and oven mitts at a distance.
3. Invest in Smart Cooking Technology to Prevent Cooking Fires
Today’s technology offers various smart kitchen tools that can help prevent fires. SmartBurners, for example, are engineered to prevent cooking fires.
Did You Know? A Consumer Reports study found that kitchens outfitted with safety-focused technology experienced fewer cooking fires than those without smart features. SmartBurners were tested to UL 858 by ETL and CSA 220.
4. Set Timers for Each Dish
Cooking multiple dishes can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to lose track of what’s in the oven or on the stove. Setting timers for each dish is a simple but effective way to stay organized and avoid overcooking or burning. Most smartphones and kitchen appliances come with built-in timers that can help you stay on schedule.
Quick Tip: Label your timers for each dish if possible or use a smart assistant like Alexa or Google Home to help you manage multiple cooking times simultaneously.
5. Create a “Kid-Free Zone” in the Kitchen
Kids and pets are naturally curious, and a busy kitchen can be dangerous. Designate a “kid-free zone” at least three feet away from the stove and other cooking areas to keep them safe from hot surfaces and sharp utensils. Keeping the kitchen clear can also reduce distractions, helping you stay focused on cooking safely.
6. Avoid Using a Deep Fryer, or Proceed with Caution
If you choose to deep-fry your turkey, take extreme caution. Deep-frying involves a large amount of hot oil, which can ignite if it comes into contact with the flame or spills over due to an improperly thawed turkey. The U.S. Fire Administration advises using deep fryers outdoors and away from walls or anything flammable.
Quick Tip: Consider alternatives to deep-frying, such as oven-roasting, to significantly reduce the risk of an oil fire.
What to Do in Case of a Cooking Fire
If a fire does start in your kitchen, acting quickly can prevent it from spreading and causing significant damage:
1. For Grease Fires: Do not use water to extinguish a grease fire, as it can cause the fire to spread. Instead, cover the flames with a metal lid or baking sheet to smother the fire and turn off the heat source.
2. For Oven Fires: Keep the oven door closed and turn off the appliance. Keeping the door shut deprives the fire of oxygen, which helps contain it.
3. Have a Fire Extinguisher Nearby: A multi-purpose fire extinguisher rated for kitchen use can be a valuable tool. Make sure you know how to use it before you need it—remember the acronym PASS (Pull the pin, aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side).
Embrace Safety for a Joyful Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving should be a time of joy and gratitude, not a day to deal with an emergency. By taking a few simple precautions, such as staying in the kitchen, keeping flammable items away from heat sources, and utilizing smart technology, you can ensure your holiday remains safe and enjoyable.
This Thanksgiving let’s all work together to protect our homes and loved ones from preventable kitchen fires. Stay vigilant, stay safe, and have a wonderful holiday!
