Thanksgiving Day is a festive celebration but did you know that it’s also the leading day for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). 3 out of 5 reported home fires involved cooking equipment. Ovens counted for 13%. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 4,000 fire happen each Thanksgiving Day, usually in the kitchen. Don’t leave anything cooking on a stove top unattended. Stay home the entire duration if you are cooking anything in the oven. When you are cooking, ensure there are no trip hazards, and nothing near that could catch fire. This related to 10% of cooking fires and 23% of deaths. Thanksgiving is a family holiday which means a lot going on with people, talking, laughing and kids running around. Always be sure to be ready for any injuries or choking.
As you begin preparing for your family dinner, keep these fire safety tips in mind:
- Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen even for a minute, turn off the stove.
- When cooking your turkey, check on it frequently and don’t leave the house.
- Alcohol (or drowsiness) and cooking don’t mix! Don’t use the stove or stove top if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol.
- Use a cooking timer to remind you when to turn off the stove or oven.
- Wear tight clothes and roll up your sleeves when cooking. If you have long hair, tie it back.
- Keep flammable things, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, your clothing or food packaging, away from the stove top.
- Accidents can happen – keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires by sliding the lid over the pan and turning off the stove top. Leave the pan covered until it’s completely cooled.
- Never throw water over a grease fire! Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen for extra prevention.
- Keep the kitchen floor clean and clear of objects to avoid trips or falls.
- Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking. Prepare activities such as games, puzzles or books that keep them busy elsewhere. Keep pets out of the kitchen as well.
- Make sure electric cords aren’t dangling off the counter within easy reach of children or pets.
- Keep matches and utility lighters up high in a locked cabinet and out of the reach of children.
- Use battery-operated candles instead of real candles. Learn more candle fire safety tips.
- Ensure your smoke alarms are working by testing them at least once a month and replacing batteries once a year.
- Review your home fire escape plan with the whole family and tell your visitors about it. Mark two exits out of each room and practice your fire drill routinely.
Blue River Restoration is here for you 24/7 incase something were to happen to your property. Let us get your home back to the pre-loss conditions.
