Thanksgiving Cooking Safety

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. Being mindful while you cook, however, can go a long way to helping prevent these fires.

Here’s what you need to know!

  • Keep an eye on what you fry
  • Be alert when cooking
  • Keep things that can catch fire away from the cooking area

Download “Be Fire-Safe in the Kitchen” – great to share with your children!
Learn about Crockpot Safety.
Learn about Turkey Fryer Safety.

Based on 2009-2013 annual averages:

  • Unattended cooking was the leading factor in home cooking fires.
  • Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
  • Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but these incidents accounted for 18% of the cooking fire deaths.
  • Ranges or cooktops accounted for the majority (61%) of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 13%.
  • More than half (54%) of reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves.
  • Frying poses the greatest risk of fire.

Source: NFPA’s “Home Fires Involving Cooking Equipment” report by Marty Ahrens, November 2015.

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.

Safety Tips:

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
  • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
  • Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
  • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
  • Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
  • Keep knives out of the reach of children.
  • Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
  • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
  • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

More NFPA Thanksgiving-related information

Source: NFPA: http://www.nfpa.org/thanksgiving

Video: NFPA Safety Tips – Cooking Safety Video

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